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In 2010, Chef in Black was featured on Shark Tank and introduced to the world. Since then, Chef in Black has become a popular brand for its unique cooking style and products.
Chef in Black is a line of California-Asian infusion gourmet spices, seasonings, and sauces created by chef Dorene Humason. The company started as a small spice shop in San Francisco and has since grown into a national brand.
Chef in Black’s products are all-natural and made with fresh ingredients. Their signature spice blend, “The Original,” combines 20 different spices that can be used on any dish to add flavor. In addition to spices, Chef in Black also sells sauces, marinades, rubs, and more. All of their products are designed to make cooking easier and more flavorful.
What is Chef in Black?
Chef in Black was a company that produced bottled California Asian Fusion salad dressings and spice sachets. Each Chef in Black salad dressing is gluten-free and produced with all-natural ingredients. The spices and dressing may be utilized as a stir-fry seasoning or as a marinade.
Chef in Black is a unique sauce company featured on Shark Tank. The company makes a variety of sauces, all of which are black. The company’s flagship sauce is the Black Sauce, a Salad and BBQ sauce made with black garlic.
The company made BBQ sauce that was both unique and delicious. After trying many different recipes, they finally settled on the Black Sauce. The sauce quickly gained popularity in their local area, and they started selling it online.
The company has since expanded its product line to include a variety of other black sauces, all made with natural ingredients. The company’s sauces are now available in stores across the country and online.
If you’re looking for a unique and delicious Salad sauce, you must try Chef in Black. Their sauces are sure to make your next BBQ a hit!
| Company Name | Chef in Black |
| Entrepreneur | Dorene Humason |
| Product / Business | Salad dressing line infused with California-Asian flavors |
| Investment Asking For | $50,000 for 10% equity in Chef in Black |
| Final Deal | $50,000 for 35% equity in Chef in Black |
| Shark | Barbara Corcoran |
| Episode | Season 1, Episode11 |
| Business Status | Out of Business |
| Website | Visit Website |
Who is the Founder of Chef in Black?
Dorene Humason is the founder of Chef in Black. Throughout her life, Dorene Humason has been determined to determine her destiny. She realized that she wanted to alter her lifestyle over time, but it took her some time to realize it.
Dorene was heavily involved in retail food sales. She was tired of long, exhausting workdays, and after a particularly challenging 14-hour shift, she decided to change careers.
Dorene decided to create a gourmet salad dressing as soon as she returned home that night. She had a distinct advantage due to her 25 years of experience in the food industry.
Due to her extensive knowledge, she fashioned a dressing she couldn’t find in stores due to her culinary arts expertise. Her goal was to prepare a Chinese salad dressing with many natural and fresh ingredients of restaurant quality.
She had to try several combinations before finding the perfect blend of seasonings and oil. Jaden is the name Dorene chose for her new outfit, which was inspired by the Chinese treasure jade.
When she pioneered what she believed was the perfect salad dressing, she quit her former job and started her own company. The Chef in Black was then presented to the Sharks on ABC’s Shark Tank to find a business partner to help Dorene launch it.
Chef in Black Before Shark Tank
Dorene Humason worked as a buyer and sales representative in the food industry for over 20 years. Her passion for the culinary arts inspired her to invest time, energy, and knowledge in creating Chef in Black, her own business.
Jaden Chinese Salad Dressing and Spice Mix were Chef in Black’s all-natural, gluten-free product, which can be used as a stir-fry seasoning or marinade. The Dorene Company had been producing restaurant-quality salad mixes for years. Her relatives and friends frequently complimented her on the quality of these products.
She felt the same way! Dorene’s salad mixes were available in 1,300 locations before she appeared on Shark Tank. She needed to raise funding to expand distribution and launch bottled salad dressings.
The sharks enjoyed the salad mix, but the food industry was not so much into Salad. Despite Dorene’s well-rounded experience, they discouraged her from expanding into other areas (e.g., bottled dressings) before her initial company was profitable.
Chef in Black Shark Tank Recap
Dorene Humason appeared on Shark Tank requesting an investment of $50,000 in exchange for a 10% stake in Chef in Black. Afterward, she describes her product line, which includes Jaden salad dressing and seasoning mix packets. While making her sales pitch, Dorene’s daughter Brooke gives the Sharks samples of the dressing.
Dorene informs them that her dressing is sold in more than 1,300 grocery stores nationwide, and they all agree it is quite good. Robert Herjavec realized that salad dressings and barbecue sauces were widely available because he had previously invested in another culinary product.
Consequently, he is curious about her plans for marketing her product nationwide and generating millions of dollars in profit. She acknowledges Dorene’s fear but assures him that she has taken reasonable precautions and that the product is popular.
Kevin O’Leary takes a step back and inquires about the stores she now supplies. It would be helpful if he knew how much money she earned from the sales of the merchandise she already had in store. She earned approximately $78,000 in her first year of sales when she supplied only 450 retailers.
However, due to certain packing troubles, her current sales have decreased to $41,000. She was required to repackage all of her items since the design on the previous packaging was deemed insulting.
She desired something distinctive and intriguing on her package, so she consulted a Chinese art expert, who informed her that the emblem on her goods depicted a Chinese prostitute. She has since modified the package accordingly.
Additionally, O’Leary wants to know the exact nature of her product, such as a salad dressing, spice packet, or rub. The Chef in Black began with the dry dressing packet because Dorene wanted to invest only a modest amount of money.
The Chef in Black, her company, is titled Jaden, but the Jaden product she sells is called Jaden. Kevin Harrington also needs clarification about her brand. Despite Jaden’s popularity, Dorene clarifies that she also intends to sell other items. She already produces various dressings and spices.
She claims that Harrington would invest in her company if they focused on one brand and one product before launching more. Harrington, however, only invests if she needs clarification about what she aims to accomplish. Soon after, Herjavec agrees with Harrington and decides against negotiating with Dorene.
The famous Shark Daymond John, who has connections to many culinary enterprises, says he understands where she’s coming from and may be able to help her, but he’s skeptical of her current company.
As a result, he also declines to invest in The Chef in Black. Ultimately, O’Leary says, if she aspires to become a food factory, she will be crushed by larger companies.
Barbara Corcoran quickly contradicts him. O’Leary continues to argue that smaller market enterprises have an advantage in innovation. Dorene disagrees with his assertion that he could have others sample and imitate the seasoning she has made.
Because she spent so much time visiting different Asian markets, she believes no one else could recreate her unique spice blend. O’Leary withdraws from the competition after this fails to convince him.
The only hope Dorene has is for Corcoran, as the last Shark, to be willing to reach out and negotiate a deal with her. Corcoran admits, however, that she is terrified by the high rate of business failures in the food industry.
She is seriously considering a deal because Dorene didn’t shiver and had the correct answers when asked questions. Therefore, she offers her $50,000 for 40% of the company. Also, she would need to focus on only selling one salad dressing for a particular time and build a more succinct brand.
Dorene accepts Corcoran’s parameters but requests a 35% stake rather than 40%. After a moment of contemplation, she eventually accepts the new agreement, and the women become partners.
Final Deal: Barbara Corcoran agreed to invest $50,000 for a 35% stake in Chef in Black.
What Happened to Chef in Black After Shark Tank?
Dorene accepted Barbara’s offer on condition that she wait until the dressing was bottled. The agreement, however, fell through after the show. Dorene said she was familiar with the food industry, while Barbara was familiar with the real estate industry. The sharks stuck to the dry mixture and made a mistake.
As a result of her appearance on Shark Tank, Chef in Black business improved for some time. Walmart contacted her about her condiments, which were available in 2000 locations. She now sells apparel and culinary supplies on her website, further diversifying her business.
Her success was fleeting. Her former website is for sale, and Chef in Black cannot be found anywhere. Chef in Black has ceased operations and has been out of business since 2022.
Chef in Black Shark Tank Update
The agreement between Barbara and Dorene fell after the episode aired because Dorene continued to develop bottled dressing along with the seasoning packet. Although she could admit that Barbara is an experienced real estate businesswoman, she didn’t believe Barbara could understand cuisine.
The Chef in Black has expanded to over 2,000 outlets since appearing on the show and is now carried at Walmart, which Dorene hopes will boost her business.
The notoriety she earned from her appearance on Shark Tank aided her business for a time, but it was not what kept her going. Dorene believes her enthusiasm and determination are responsible for the company’s growth and progression.
The Chef in Black now has its website, accessible at http://chefinblack.com/. On the website, prospective purchasers can investigate the latest products the Dorene firm offers.
In addition to the unique Chinese salad dressing that she developed, The Chef in Black now sells clothes, kitchen equipment, and even presents for brand fans. Without the Shark Tank deal, Dorene and her company could not stay in business long.
Is Chef in Black Still In Business?
The Chef in Black is out of business as of 2022. The company could not stay in business without any deal from the sharks.
What is the Net Worth of Chef in Black?
The valuation of Chef in Black was $500,000 when it appeared on Shark Tank. The net worth of Chef in Black is unknown as of 2022 since the company went out of business.
