House of Yee

Christine MacLean of Vancouver, BC pitched House of Yee Fine Foods, asking for $150,000 for 15% of her company. She created Canada's first gluten-free dumpling, made with braised shiitake mushroom and fresh aromatics with no additives or preservatives, sold in five flavours. The dumplings cost about $4.75 to make and retail between $15 and $18, roughly double the price of a standard frozen dumpling, and are sold in nearly 100 specialty stores across Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Sales over the last 12 months were $350,000; she is seeking investment for an $80,000 dual-line dumpling machine to increase capacity from 40 to 100 cases, noting that Sobeys has approached her twice but she cannot yet meet demand.

Arlene Dickinson advised her to pursue equipment loans instead of investment and passed, Wes Hall felt it was too early, Vincenzo Guzzo wanted the margins lowered to drive volume, Robert Herjavec joked he'd eat all the profits and passed, Manjit Minhas felt the market was too niche for a valuation over a million dollars, and Michele Romanow wanted an internet component to the business. All five Dragons declined to invest, leaving Christine MacLean without a deal.

House of Yee is still operating and sells through its website.