What Happened To Truffle Shuffle After Shark Tank?

Stepping into the "Shark Tank" comes with both trepidation and promise. While the Sharks might have deep pockets, the entrepreneurs need to entice someone on the panel to dig deep. When Truffle Shuffle sought an investment, opening the box of truffles was almost a Pandora's Box. Would that tempting aroma lure the Sharks to become the food company's partner?

Founded by two former French Laundry chefs, the partners' original food company concept pivoted when the pandemic caused restaurants to shut their doors. With boxes of precious, expensive truffles that were soon to lose their luster, the pair turned on their cameras, curated a recipe box, and started teaching home cooks how to master elevated ingredients. The foodie experience in a box was more than just a healthy meal prep delivery service with pre-packaged ingredients and a recipe. The online experience engages participants and turns cooking into a party, which ends in a tasty meal. Although the brand found success, the guiding hand of a "Shark Tank" investor would transform this Bib Gourmand idea into a Michelin Star concept.

As seen in a Truffle Shuffle YouTube video, the co-founders practiced and practiced for the "Shark Tank" opportunity. Even though Chef Wonderful might enjoy copious amounts of shaved truffles on his risotto recipes, achieving food business success is more than a stunning plate. The online cooking concept has grown over the years but home cooks need to find one that fits their personality, not just satisfy a food craving.

According to Shark Tank Talks, chefs Jason McKinney and Tyler Vorce asked for $500,000 and 5% equity in their company. Even though the Sharks were tempted by the anticipation of enjoying some truffles, truffle salt, and truffle honey, getting them to bite was not quite so simple. Even though Lori Greiner appreciated the concept, she did not feel that she was the right fit. Mr. Wonderful wanted a different cost structure. After some negotiation, the pair struck a deal with Mark Cuban for $501,000 and 18% equity in the company. Even though they shaved off more equity than they might have liked, Truffle Shuffle had the Sharks eating off their plate.

When Truffle Shuffle appeared on "Shark Tank," the Season 12 episode 21 segment used the analogy of the experience being "the Peloton of Cooking." Although there can be a few panicky moments when trying to perfect that sear, having fun with food is integral to the company. From engaging chefs to turning the Zoom cooking class into a party, this concept is about removing the fourth wall and feeling like everyone is connected.

A post on the brand's Instagram page asks users what their favorite Truffle Shuffle class is. A few mentioned in the comments included soft scrambled eggs with caviar, crispy skin duck, and cooking with family across time zones. Even though these classes use elevated, high-end ingredients, the experience is approachable, taking the stuffiness out and adding boisterousness. From the cocktails included in each class to the interactions during cooking, the concept is to engage beyond the screen. As seen by the many food photos online, one bite might have people shuffling time and again.

About five years after its founding and more than two years since the "Shark Tank" episode aired, Truffle Shuffle still appears to be going strong — persisting through COVID-19 and the shocking restaurant price inflation crisis. As of summer 2023, the company estimates it has sold around $13.3 million in cooking classes for nearly 25,000 households.

Today, the company offers several live classes a month, plus meal kits with high-end ingredients and on-demand cooking demo videos from the company's chefs who include alumni of restaurants like the French Laundry, one of the most famous restaurants in America. In January 2023, Truffle Shuffle also launched a subscription program for $129 per month; as of July, over 250 people had become members.

For non-members, most classes and kits cost between $140 and $170 but can range from under $100 to more than $200 depending on the recipe and optional black truffle add-ons. In addition, customers can purchase truffle ingredients a la carte, including truffle salt, truffle honey, and fresh seasonal black truffles — which actually release pheromones that make them so irresistible — by the half-ounce.

[Warning: Spoilers ahead for season 2 of "Next Level Chef"]

"Shark Tank" may have helped introduce Truffle Shuffle to a national audience, but the reality cooking competition show "Next Level Chef" has elevated the profile of one of the company's chef ambassadors. After 15 episodes' worth of challenges, Truffle Shuffle chef Tucker Ricchio won the second season of "Next Level Chef," a show hosted by Gordon Ramsay with mentors like Richard Blais and Nyesha Arrington. 

Ricchio began teaching classes for Truffle Shuffle customers during the pandemic, after the company pivoted toward the at-home cooking classes featured on "Shark Tank." She's a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu — which she switched from nursing school to attend. And before becoming a "Next Level Chef" champion, she cooked at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Acquerello, one of the best Italian restaurants in the U.S.

And just as Truffle Shuffle made the best of its "Shark Tank" appearance, the company is capitalizing on its star chef's success on "Next Level Chef," too. In her intro montage on the first episode, Ricchio name-dropped Truffle Shuffle and was shown using the company's truffle carpaccio, and the company supported her in the finale with a limited-edition drop of #TeamTucker shirts.