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| Unveiling Surprises: 4 Lesser-Known Insights about Toast-It's "Shark Tank" Journey |
Toast-It, a Miami-based Latin food company, ventured into the competitive world of "Shark Tank" during Season 15, Episode 1503. The dynamic sister duo behind Toast-It, Maria Fernanda Römer Cabezas and Maria Corina Cabezas, pitched their vision of bringing authentic Venezuelan flavors to American tables. They faced scrutiny from the formidable panel of sharks, including Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Daymon John, Daniel Lubetzy, and Kevin O'Leary.
Founded in 2019, Toast-It was born out of a deep-seated desire to recreate the cherished Venezuelan dishes their mother used to prepare. Frustrated by the absence of convenient packaged options that captured the essence of their homeland's culinary heritage, the sisters embarked on a mission to launch their own food company.
Over the span of several years, these enterprising sisters transformed a small, self-funded concept into a thriving, full-time business venture. As per their LinkedIn page, Toast-It remains privately funded with a dedicated team of fewer than 10 employees.
Currently, the brand offers a delectable range of products, including three varieties of arepas—original, cassava, and chia flaxseed. Additionally, Toast-It tantalizes taste buds with pandebono bites and plantain bunuelos. You can find their products online and at select retailers, such as Publix and Walmart.
1. Toast-It's Mission:
Toast-It has set its sights on a grand mission. Their goal is to become the leading purveyor of healthy South American cuisine in the United States. While it may seem ambitious for a small, independent brand, the rising demand for diverse global flavors presents a growth opportunity. Beyond serving mouthwatering dishes, Toast-It also seeks to educate consumers about Venezuelan culture and cuisine. By shedding light on the significance of arepas and their place in Venezuelan tradition, the brand aims to entice people to swap their typical breakfast choices for this South American delight. Lastly, Toast-It is dedicated to enhancing consumers' lives by offering top-quality products. Their fare is gluten-free, nut-free, preservative-free, and free from added sugars. Although the ingredients are straightforward, the flavors evoke an authentic Venezuelan experience, imbued with the "carino" (care) that goes into every bite.
2. Founders of Toast-It:
The inception of Toast-It is rooted in childhood nostalgia and an entrepreneurial spirit. Sisters Maria Fernanda Romer Cabezas and Maria Corina Cabezas embarked on this culinary journey, driven by a shared passion for arepas and a desire to share them with the world. Maria Fernanda brings her experience from the food and beverage industry, coupled with a background in financial analysis, which has proven invaluable in guiding Toast-It's strategic decisions and fostering its growth. Their collaboration demonstrates a commitment to realizing the brand's success. From humble beginnings as a small kitchen-based operation to expanding into hundreds of stores and even securing a spot on "Shark Tank," Toast-It and its founders are heating up discussions about South American cuisine.
3. Walmart Partnership Prior to "Shark Tank":
Transforming a concept into a thriving food brand requires more than mere wishes and prayers. Toast-It's journey received a significant boost when they earned recognition from the Walmart Open Call competition. This program grants small and medium-sized U.S. manufacturing businesses the opportunity to feature their products on Walmart store shelves or online. Over the past decade, Walmart has extended this opportunity to 9,000 companies. Toast-It's products found their way into numerous Walmart stores, particularly in South Florida, where the brand is headquartered. While participation in the Walmart program doesn't guarantee success, it does open doors and lends credibility. Demonstrating their capacity to scale up production could have been a pivotal factor in securing a spot on "Shark Tank." By leveraging this accomplishment, Toast-It enhances its prospects of success on the show.
4. Toast-It's Star Product:
Toast-It's signature product, arepas, has resonated with consumers seeking the comforting and familiar flavors of Venezuelan cuisine. Crafted with minimal ingredients, these arepas have garnered a devoted following for their simplicity, ease of preparation, and delicious taste. As highlighted on their website, these arepas are designed to achieve a crispy texture when toasted, making them a versatile canvas for both sweet and savory creations. Whether paired with jam for breakfast or loaded with pulled pork for dinner, arepas offer a culinary journey that adapts to any meal. Toast-It's Instagram account is a treasure trove of inventive recipe ideas, showcasing the versatility of their product. While toasting the arepas is a minor preparation step, it's far more convenient than starting from scratch. Whether it's curiosity, a preference for gluten-free options, or a love for South American cuisine, Toast-It has carved a niche and is poised for continued growth.
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