What It Was Really Like Prepping for Shark Tank (and Growing Nearly 40 Pounds of Sprouts in My Apartment)

Francesca Nardelli
Oct 30
2 min read

francesca nardelli the sprouting company

When I say my kitchen turned into a sprout jungle, I mean, actually. Leading up to The Sprouting Company’s Shark Tank episode, I grew over 25 large 32-oz jars of sprouts ..... I did the math, that’s about 40 pounds of living greens. Every counter, shelf, and spare corner was covered in jars bursting with life.

I wish I could maintain that level all the time... but

I wasn’t just growing food; I was helping bring a vision to life. Seeing Doug Evans walk into that tank surrounded by sprouts and sprout meals was one of those pinch-me moments — proof that wellness can be bold, beautiful, and totally disruptive. And that's exactly what Doug brought to the tank. It was insane.

The Shark Tank Energy

Prepping for national TV was a thrill, but it was a full time committment. Between rinsing sprouts, styling the display, and keeping everything alive (and photogenic), there was this insane mix of excitement and chaos. Watching it all come together on set was surreal — especially seeing Mr. Wonderful eating the salads, and sushi I made in the trailer an hour prior...with the sprouts I had grown the week of.

And when it finally aired? Unreal. I'm still searching for words.

After the Tank

Once the episode wrapped, the energy didn’t stop — it just shifted. We started creating The Sprouting Company Cookbook — over 100 recipes built around living foods and vibrant, plant-based eating. It’s colorful, modern, and packed with meals that make you feel alive from the inside out — rainbow sushi rolls, sprouted pasta, creamy hemp dressings, you name it.

Why Sprouting Still Feels Revolutionary

As the creator behind My Plant Based Kitchen, I’ve always been obsessed with food that has meaning — food that’s not just “healthy,” but transformative. Sprouting checks every box: high in protein, full of enzymes, sustainable, and grown right in your kitchen. Watching those seeds grow in just 3ish days into delicious crunchy and such fresh food is my true dream.