A San Francisco restaurant recently closed its doors after an influencer shared a viral encounter she had with the restaurant’s chef.
The eatery, Kis Café, closed down last week, according to its own Instagram post. A TikTok creator named Karla — who doesn’t share her last name but goes by the handle @itskarlabb — alleged that the restaurant’s chef, Luke Sung, belittled her during an interaction.
« I’m still shaking and I feel so frazzled, but I just left a restaurant collaboration crying, » the creator said in the viral video, which has racked up some 22 million views to date.
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Since the video went viral, Karla’s follower count shot up to over 400,000 – but before, she said, she only had 15,000.
During a collaboration with the restaurant, Karla said Sung – who also co-owns Kis Café – approached her and asked who she was.
When he pulled up her account, the chef allegedly scoffed at Karla’s perceived lack of influence.
« This guy pulls up my TikTok and says that I have 15,000 followers, » Karla recounted in the video. « He was saying that I have too [few] followers and that this was a mistake. »
« He goes on to say that my audience and my followers are not the kind of people that are going to be at his restaurant, » she continued.
« It seemed like he was insinuating that my followers would not be able to afford to eat at this restaurant. »
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Sung also allegedly asked Karla if she knew who he was and bragged that his daughter had 600,000 followers on social media.
In response, Karla said she « turned red » and left the restaurant.
Her video prompted outrage, with tens of thousands of users directing criticism at Kis Café.
« Well, he was right about one thing: Your followers are not going to be eating at his restaurant, » one user said.
Another wrote, « I can’t believe follower counts are the new currency for respect. Like, we’re human beings. »
While announcing its closure on Instagram, the Kis Café called Sung’s behavior « unacceptable. »
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« That behavior does not reflect the remainder of our team. We want to create a space that’s welcoming and respectful to everyone, » the post said.
« In this instance, we failed to do so. »
It went on, « We are closing soon and restructuring after these events. In the meantime, we hope to still be able to sustain the livelihoods of our team members and their families. »
Sung also shared a statement on the Kis Café Instagram page, writing that it was « important » to apologize and step away from the business.
« Karla – I am truly sorry for my actions towards you, » Sung wrote.
« I was condescending, hurtful and intimidating. »
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He went on, « You did not deserve to be made to feel less than or unimportant. Nobody does. Regardless, I thank you for teaching me a valuable lesson in kindness and respect. There are no excuses to be made. »
Sung added that his behavior « should not be a reflection on anyone else who works there, or anyone who is related to me. »
Fox News Digital reached out to Sung, Kis Café, and Karla for additional comment.
Source link : https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/restaurant-shuts-down-after-chef-insults-tiktok-influencer-prompting-outrage-still-shaking
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Publish date : 2025-07-29 19:19:00
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