Meat the Mushroom on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost and how to buy plant-based alternative to pork and turkey bacon Shroomacon
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Meat the Mushroom, a small Baltimore-based start-up, will present its novel culinary product, Shroomacon, on 'Shark Tank,' but will any of the sharks bite? The firm certainly has a unique product.
Shroomacon is a plant-based bacon alternative that includes one important ingredient: mushrooms. Plant-based meat replacements are gaining popularity as a nutritious alternative.
Consider the success of firms like Impossible Foods, the maker of the popular Impossible Burger, and Beyond Meat, which makes its version of a synthetic burger patty.
Shroomacon competes directly with other bacon alternatives from more established food firms, like LightLife. Umaro Foods' faux bacon earned a $1 million agreement with tycoon Mark Cuban during its debut on 'Shark Tank', according to CNBC.
Umaro's bacon is created with red seaweed protein and is now only available wholesale. Despite the crowded industry, Meat the Mushroom's Shroomacon has a fantastic potential to make its mark in the vegan cuisine space because of its impressively small list of ingredients and a slew of good feedback.
Marvin Montague and Aleah Rae Montague, a dynamic husband-and-wife combination, are revolutionizing the plant-based culinary sector with their revolutionary Black-owned vegan meat replacement firm, Meat the Mushroom. Their revolutionary mushroom concoction, Shroomacon, a plant-based replacement for pig, beef, and turkey bacon, claims to be delightful, healthy, and guilt-free.
On January 26, Marvin and Aleah will feature on Season 15 of ABC's popular entrepreneurial reality show 'Shark Tank', bringing Meat the Mushroom's journey to a climax. This platform provides the pair with a unique chance to demonstrate the company's potential and the effect of Shroomacon on a worldwide food audience and culinary market.
Aleah shared about her experience, "I have to be honest, I still can't believe it's happening! Shark Tank has been one of our favorite shows for years."
"I've learned so much about entrepreneurship just from watching, so to be able to pitch the Sharks was a real 'pinch me' moment. Aside from the opportunity to gain a partner with so much business experience as well as funding to help companies grow faster, being on a national stage like Shark Tank means a lot to small businesses," she further added.
Aleah also noted, "We've known for a while that you can have your bacon, and eat it too. So grateful to Shark Tank for the opportunity to spread this information to a wider audience!"
What is Meat the Mushroom?
Shroomacon is the idea of Marvin and his wife, Aleah. They established Meat the Mushroom in 2021, inspired by their desire to provide nutritious vegan meals.
Marvin adopted a vegan diet to help him handle some personal health concerns. As he says on the company website, "In less than a year after going vegan, I was able to beat an early diagnosis of heart disease and cure the asthma that had bothered me since childhood!"
At first, Marvin considered launching a vegan restaurant. However, he then felt it would be more beneficial to develop a product that could reach more clients than a single storefront.
Marvin then experimented with the Shroomacon recipe for almost a year before deciding it was satisfactory. The final product has only five ingredients: black pepper, salt, natural smoke flavor, olive oil, and mushrooms.
The mushrooms—the firm utilizes king oyster mushrooms (also known as king trumpets)—are sliced into large strips rather than diced and pressed in a mold.
Who are the founders of Meat the Mushroom?
Marvin, the co-founder, is a natural problem solver and creator. He specializes in devising novel answers to common challenges, as well as developing new items to join the Meat The Mushroom meat substitute family.
Marvis, a vegan for over 8 years, is enthusiastic about advancing the meat alternative sector by offering customers healthy, sustainable alternatives that taste just as good as their animal-based counterparts. He believes that what we eat has the greatest impact on our lives and health.
Every year, thousands of people die from illnesses caused or aggravated by poor nutrition choices across the country (particularly in the African American population). Marvin is determined to alter it.
Marvin is overjoyed that his vegan bacon Shroomacon is allowing vegans, vegetarians, and people who simply do not want to consume swine anymore to experience the flavor, texture, and fragrance of bacon without all the negative side effects.
Aleah, the co-founder, has spent the previous 12 years working in and around both brick-and-mortar and online shops. She specializes in developing and implementing unique, engaging, and high-converting marketing tactics that drive sales for their plant-based CPG company. She is presently working on developing strategic collaborations with retailers and investors to help Meat The Mushroom expand.
Aleah also leads and collaborates with a competent team of email and social media marketing contractors. Aleah earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in French Language and Literature from Rutgers University.
What is the cost and how to buy Meat the Mushroom?
Customers appear to be enjoying Shroomacon. The product has received five stars from more than 85% of reviews on the company's website.
According to one reviewer, "It tastes just like bacon." Many people have offered tips on how to cook Shroomacon.
Making it with an air fryer is strongly recommended. In addition, at least one celebrity has expressed interest in the product.
Tabitha Brown, a TV personality and vegan cookbook author, adored Shroomacon and allowed the firm to broadcast a video of her making a BLT sandwich with the product on Instagram.
Shroomacon is sold to consumers who want to experience the flavor of bacon without the fat and cholesterol present in swine bacon. The product is presently offered in various markets around the country.
It's also available on the company's website. A four-pack of Shroomacon costs $48, while an eight-pack costs $88 (with delivery).
Each box contains around eight to ten slices.
Where is Meat the Mushroom now?
Before their broadcast debut, Meat the Mushroom received notice and great praise from key players in the entertainment business. Notable celebrity endorsements include Tabitha, a best-selling author and Emmy-winning vegan advocate; Keri Hilson, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter; and June Ambrose, an award-winning fashion designer.
Their positive evaluations highlight Shroomacon's worldwide appeal and excellence.
Who will steal the deal?
Mark will not invest in this, despite having previously invested in Pan's, Everything Legendary, Umaro, and other vegan firms. He has a conflict of interest with Umaro, thus he will not buy into it.
Nevertheless, any of the other Sharks can jump in. Lori Greiner and Kevin O'Leary are both vegans (or near enough), so they could make an offer.
Daniel Lubetzky is an experienced food marketer who has invested in food businesses on 'Shark Tank'. Having him as a partner might help Meat the Mushroom quickly gain traction with major stores.
If Daymond John observes other Sharks making offers, he may intervene to "turn the screws" on them, a method he has previously utilized.
'Shark Tank' Season 15, Episode 12, airs on ABC on Friday, January 26, at 8 pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like Meat the Mushroom, Jays Pet Butter, Mama Sing My Song, and BarBees Bartending.
For those who miss the episode, it will be available on demand the following day and on Hulu. Additionally, viewers can explore past seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.