Restaurant Closes After Chef Offends TikTok Influencer, Sparks Outrage: 'Still Shaking'

The Closure of Kis Café: A Story of Influence, Respect, and Consequences

A recent incident at a San Francisco restaurant has sparked widespread discussion about the power of social media influence and the expectations that come with it. Kis Café, a local eatery known for its unique dining experience, recently closed its doors following a viral video that exposed a tense encounter between a TikTok influencer and the restaurant’s chef.

The closure was announced on the café’s Instagram page, marking the end of an era for the establishment. The controversy began when a TikTok creator, known only by her handle @itskarlabb, shared a video detailing her experience during a collaboration with the restaurant. In the video, which has since amassed over 22 million views, Karla described feeling humiliated and shaken after an interaction with the chef, Luke Sung.

According to Karla, Sung approached her during the collaboration and questioned her identity. When he checked her account, he allegedly dismissed her as having too few followers to be considered influential. “He was saying that I have too [few] followers and that this was a mistake,” she said in the video. She added that Sung suggested her audience wouldn’t be the kind of people who would dine at his restaurant, implying that her followers couldn’t afford to eat there.

This statement left Karla visibly upset, and she reportedly left the restaurant shortly after. Her video quickly went viral, drawing attention not only to the incident but also to the broader issue of how social media metrics are often used as a measure of worth.

Karla’s follower count skyrocketed from 15,000 to over 400,000 in a short period. However, the incident also brought a wave of criticism toward Kis Café, with many users expressing their outrage on social media. Some commented on the absurdity of using follower counts as a determinant of respect, while others criticized the chef’s behavior.

In response to the backlash, Kis Café issued a public statement on Instagram, calling the chef’s actions “unacceptable.” The post emphasized that the behavior did not reflect the values of the rest of the team. “We want to create a space that's welcoming and respectful to everyone,” the statement read. “In this instance, we failed to do so.”

The café also announced plans to close and restructure, with a focus on supporting the livelihoods of its employees and their families. Sung, who co-owns the restaurant, took to the same platform to apologize for his actions. He admitted to being condescending and hurtful, and expressed gratitude for the lesson in kindness and respect that Karla provided.

“I was condescending, hurtful and intimidating,” Sung wrote. “You did not deserve to be made to feel less than or unimportant. Nobody does.”

While the incident has drawn significant attention, it has also raised questions about the role of social media in shaping business interactions and personal relationships. As the conversation continues, the story of Kis Café serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, respect, and the impact of our actions, both online and offline.