Glass of red wine at dining table in backyard patio
URGENT UPDATE: The chef of San Francisco’s Kis Cafe has stepped down following backlash from a TikTok influencer who claimed she was left in tears after a disastrous collaboration. Thursday, October 12, 2023, the restaurant confirmed that Luke Sung is “no longer” part of the team amid growing outrage on social media.
The controversy erupted after influencer @itskarlabb shared her experience with Sung in a video that has now amassed over 15 million views. In her post, she detailed how Sung berated her for not having enough followers, leading to an emotional fallout. “I just left a restaurant collaboration crying,” she stated, expressing feelings of embarrassment and disrespect.
In a shocking revelation, the influencer described an incident where Sung allegedly questioned her worth, saying, “He is not having it, saying to the host that he shouldn’t have invited me. I feel really disrespected.” She also mentioned Sung’s condescending remark, “Not to be snobby, but do you know who I am?” which intensified the negative sentiment surrounding the restaurant.
Following the uproar, Kis Cafe took to Instagram to address the issue. They condemned Sung’s behavior as “unacceptable” and confirmed his resignation as a co-owner and chef. The official post stated, “This behavior does not reflect the remainder of our team. We want to create a space that’s welcoming and respectful to everyone. In this instance, we failed to do so.”
The restaurant disclosed plans to restructure and close temporarily, stressing the importance of supporting their team members during this difficult time. “In the meantime, we hope to still be able to sustain the livelihoods of our team members and their families,” the post concluded.
As the story unfolds, it highlights the significant impact of social media on the restaurant industry and the potential for viral moments to shape public perceptions. This incident serves as a reminder of the growing influence of digital platforms, where a single post can lead to widespread repercussions.
What happens next for Kis Cafe remains to be seen, but the community is watching closely as updates emerge. For now, the restaurant is left to navigate the fallout from this explosive encounter, while the influencer continues to gain followers and traction from her viral content.
Stay tuned for more developments on this unfolding situation in San Francisco.
