An award-winning San Francisco chef says his career and family life have been shattered after a viral TikTok post accused him of disrespecting an influencer at his restaurant.
Luke Sung, formerly co-owner and chef of Kis Cafe in the Bay Area, was fired late last month after TikTok creator Karla Marcotte claimed he questioned her appearance and mocked her for having “only” 15,000 followers. In her video, which has been viewed more than 10 million times, Marcotte said she left the restaurant in tears.
Online backlash was swift. The cafe’s Google rating plummeted to 1.1 stars after thousands of negative reviews. Within days, the restaurant announced Sung was “no longer part of the team” and later confirmed its permanent closure.
its a long video and not something i would normally upload but i feel like i had to talk about this experience. i basically ran out of there but i wish i would’ve stood up for myself. if you are a micro influencer i know it’s easy to feel discouraged at times but don’t let anyone make you feel small or unimportant!!
Speaking to The San Francisco Standard, Sung expressed regret but said the situation had been misrepresented. He explained that his business partner had arranged Marcotte’s visit without telling him. Hoping for a warm introduction, Sung said he was disappointed when she sat down without greeting him.
Sung admitted he looked at her TikTok content before approaching her table, noting one dish he thought reflected poor culinary standards. Concerned she might misrepresent his restaurant, he asked if she knew his background and the cafe’s mission. Marcotte, he said, appeared intimidated.
Marcotte left shortly afterward, telling her husband she wouldn’t eat there. According to Sung, she warned, “The restaurant world is really small. There will be consequences.”
Sung learned about the viral post from his daughter, an influencer herself, who had received thousands of hateful messages. His son, a musician, was also targeted online. “Everything is broken into pieces,” Sung said, adding that the family plans to start therapy.
The scandal not only cost Sung his job but also forced Kis Cafe to close its doors permanently.
