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San Francisco Chef vs. TikTok Influencer: A Drama That Shut Down Restaurants and Broke the Internet

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Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash

In the cutthroat world of San Francisco dining and social media clout, a single interaction between a local chef and a TikTok influencer has spiraled into a full-blown restaurant apocalypse.

Luke Sung, a veteran restaurateur, found himself at the center of a digital storm after an alleged confrontation with micro-influencer Karla Marcotte at his Hayes Valley restaurant. What started as a potential collaboration turned into a viral nightmare that saw not one, but two restaurants temporarily shutting down.

The Viral Fallout

Marcotte’s tearful TikTok video about being turned away from the restaurant quickly garnered massive attention, catapulting her follower count from 15,000 to a staggering 473,000. The chef claims she warned him of “consequences” during their encounter, suggesting a power play that would make even Silicon Valley’s most cutthroat executives blush.

When Clout Meets Cuisine

The incident raises serious questions about the growing influence of social media personalities in the restaurant industry. With Marcotte’s followers skyrocketing and local restaurants now seemingly eager to court her attention, the balance of power has dramatically shifted.

The Aftermath

Sung has apologized and stepped away from his restaurants, acknowledging potential inappropriate communication. Meanwhile, Marcotte remains silent, basking in her newfound digital fame. One thing’s certain: in San Francisco’s restaurant scene, your next viral moment might just be a TikTok away.

AUTHOR: mb

SOURCE: SFist