Renowned Chef Leaves New Project Amid Controversy Over Influencer’s Free Meal—Was Fame a Factor?

A well-known chef from San Francisco has stepped down from his newly launched café after a negative encounter with a TikTok influencer. The incident, which went viral, highlighted some uncomfortable truths about social media and the restaurant scene.

This all started at Kis Cafe in Hayes Valley when influencer @itskarlabb, real name Karla, arrived for a planned collaboration. She was excited to share her experience with her followers, but the situation quickly took a sharp turn. In a TikTok video she posted, Karla revealed that chef Luke Sung questioned her 15,000 followers, suggesting it was a mistake to invite an influencer with “only” that many fans.

“I heard them talking about ’TikTok, views, followers,’” she recounted in a follow-up video, which has since racked up over 20 million views.

During their exchange, Sung pressed Karla about her knowledge of the café’s menu. When he checked her TikTok, he told her that her content didn’t meet the standards he expected for his restaurant, implying her audience couldn’t afford to dine there. “It felt disrespectful,” Karla said, expressing her frustration. “I just wanted to collaborate, not feel belittled.”

After the exchange, Karla decided to walk away from the collaboration. Since sharing her story, her follower count has skyrocketed to over 350,000. “Micro-influencers deserve respect too,” she stated. “You don’t need a huge following to make an impact.”

The fallout for Kis Cafe was swift. After the incident, the restaurant’s rating on Yelp dropped dramatically from around four stars to just over two. Customers expressed their disapproval, and many shared their thoughts on social media, reaffirming the need for respect in influencer partnerships.

Shortly thereafter, Kis Cafe announced that Sung was no longer with the team. They emphasized in an Instagram post that his behavior was unacceptable. “We failed to create a welcoming environment,” they admitted, and indicated they would be taking steps to improve the café.

This incident reflects a growing sentiment among the digital community and influencers, who seek fair treatment regardless of follower counts. According to a recent study, 72% of consumers trust influencers more than traditional celebrities, indicating that even those with fewer followers can have a significant impact.

As the world of social media evolves, it’s crucial for businesses to adapt and recognize the power of all influencers, not just the ones with the biggest follower counts.

Source link

US News,chefs,Influencers,restaurants,san francisco