---
title: Alum Takes Spicy Turn on ‘Shark Tank’
date: 2023-04-07T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/alum-takes-spicy-turn-on-shark-tank"
section: Articles
---
# Alum Takes Spicy Turn on ‘Shark Tank’

*April 7, 2023* — by [Sala Levin ’10](/author/sala-levin-10)


> Spice Company Burlap & Barrel Tries to Win Investors on Tonight’s Episode

*Ori and Ethan in the Tank 1920x1080 — Ori Zohar ’07, right, and his Burlap & Barrel co-founder, Ethan Frisch, are appearing tonight on ABCs “Shark Tank’ to pitch the investing panel their single origin spice company. "You only have one shot," said Zohar. "Whatever happens, happens."*

When Ori Zohar ’07 and his co-founder Ethan Frisch strode down the signature “Shark Tank” hallway in September, they knew they’d have to pitch something mouthwatering to the ABC show’s hard-bitten regulars to entice them to invest in their single-origin spice company. What they didn’t know was that there’d be a guest “shark” angling for a taste: actress, wellness promoter, mega-successful owner of luxury lifestyle brand Goop and newly exonerated ski queen Gwyneth Paltrow.

Would the Oscar winner invest, taking Burlap & Barrel to the big time, or would she wish them well and dismiss them with a reserved yet cutting glance?

Viewers will find out tonight at 8 p.m. EST, when Zohar and Frisch appear on “Shark Tank” to tell the story and drive home the potential of Burlap & Barrel to billionaire Mark Cuban and the full panel of investors.


*Burlap and Barrel spices — Photo by Lisa Helfert*




**Topics:** [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Alumni](https://today.umd.edu/topic/alumni), [Food](https://today.umd.edu/topic/food), [Marketing](https://today.umd.edu/topic/marketing)


**Units:** [Robert H. Smith School of Business](https://today.umd.edu/topic/robert-h-smith-school-business)