Veronica Shaw, widely recognized as Chef Pii on TikTok and the creative genius behind the viral Pink Sauce, has recently revealed her financial struggles, pointing fingers at her official partner, Dave’s Gourmet, alleging that she has been subjected to financial sabotage and stifled creatively.
In January, Dave’s Gourmet, a self-proclaimed “trailblazing food products innovator,” had enthusiastically announced its partnership with Shaw, a move that garnered significant attention. However, according to Shaw herself, the collaboration has taken a dark turn, pushing her to seek financial assistance through a GoFundMe campaign with a target of $100,000. In her candid plea for support, Shaw disclosed that her financial situation has reached a dire state, leaving her unable to provide food for her children.
“As a young entrepreneur driven by grand aspirations, I followed my instincts and embarked on a journey to innovate. Along the way, I made some missteps, which led me to trust a company that seems intent on stripping everything away from me. They deceived me,” she lamented on her fundraising page.
Shaw went on to accuse Dave’s Gourmet of a lack of transparency concerning financial records, withholding reimbursement for marketing expenses, and failing to fulfill their financial commitments, including royalties owed to her.
“I am currently facing eviction, and the situation has escalated to the point where sheriffs could appear at my doorstep any day now,” Shaw continued. “I am in dire need of legal assistance, and I refuse to give up. I am reaching out for help.”
Veronica Shaw’s journey to fame began when she introduced her homemade Pink Sauce on social media platforms, quickly garnering an enthusiastic following. As demand surged, she attempted to manage the influx of orders with a modest team of three. However, customer complaints about product availability prompted her to seek collaboration with a larger manufacturing entity.
While Shaw insists that Dave’s Gourmet owes her royalties and reimbursements, the company continues to market and sell her product. Notably, within a mere five months of their partnership, Pink Sauce made its debut at 4,300 Walmart locations, with the product still listed as “in stock” on the retailer’s website.
Fans and supporters have expressed their concerns on social media platforms, echoing their sympathy for Shaw’s predicament. One Twitter user noted, “It has to be pretty bad for this,” while another added, “I feel bad for her omgg. How if they’re not paying her back because she’s not profiting enough.”
Dave’s Gourmet has issued a statement in response to Shaw’s allegations, asserting that they have adhered to the terms of their agreement. However, as of now, the company has not responded to requests for comment from Delish.
The statement from Dave’s Gourmet read, “Dave’s Gourmet has adhered to the terms of the agreement with Ms. Shaw. We disagree with Ms. Shaw’s allegations. Dave’s Gourmet has paid Chef Pii over $120,000 to date and it continues to make all payments as due and on time based upon the terms of the contract.”