These kids brought the Sharks to tears when they pitched their late dad’s product. Christian, Keira, and Kaley Young pitched, the Cup Board Pro, to The Shark Tank television show in hopes of honoring their father’s dreams. The Sharks responded in a way they never do!
Their dad Keith Young, a New York City Firefighter, was raising his three children on his own after his wife, Beth, passed away from breast cancer. Not long afterwards, Keith himself was diagnosed with cancer directly related to being a first responder in the 9/11 attacks. A few months before the filming of the television episode, Keith also passed away. These kids have been through so much together, but they knew that their fight wasn’t complete until they had shared their Dad’s vision on The Shark Tank.
Keith earned the nickname the “firehouse chef” a when he competed on Bobby Flay’s cooking competition “Throwdown”. The fallen fireman was his own sort of Food Network celebrity having appeared on “Chopped” as well. This father of three had a true love of cooking even holding a degree in culinary arts before joining the FDNY. It was there that he began whipping up impressive culinary masterpieces for his fellow firefighters. Keith even published a cookbook “Cooking With The Firehouse Chef” not long after his vision for the Cup Board Pro was born.
As the kids explained their product and the story of their father’s passing, there wasn’t a dry eye on the usually tough Shark Tank judges board. Christian and Kaley presented with the same passion that their father offered. Keith had filmed an infomercial for the Cut Board Pro before his passing which was shown to the Sharks. Seeing the smiles on the young family’s faces as they watched their passionate father sell his product was so moving! It was clear the Sharks were moved as well.
In an unusual decision, the Sharks announced that they were not going to compete for the opportunity to market the product. Rather, these savvy business leaders deter