San Francisco Chef Luke Sung Blasts Influencer, Career Crumbles
BREAKING: San Francisco chef Luke Sung asserts that a viral scandal involving influencer Karla Marcotte has decimated his career and left his family in turmoil. Sung, 52, claims Marcotte’s unpreparedness during a collaboration at Kis Cafe has led to a devastating backlash, including a flood of negative reviews.
In a shocking turn of events, Sung describes how a seemingly routine visit by Marcotte, known as @itskarlabb on TikTok, spiraled out of control last month. The incident, which took place at the restaurant in Hayes Valley, has resulted in a dramatic decline in business. Kis Cafe, previously serving 100 covers a night, was bombarded with thousands of one-star reviews, leading to his departure as chef and co-owner.
Sung recalls the moment Marcotte arrived without prior notice. “I didn’t know anything about her,” he told the San Francisco Standard. He expected a warm greeting, but instead found himself in a tense exchange. “My high expectation for professionalism has failed me again and again,” he lamented. Following Marcotte’s visit, she posted a video claiming she was belittled by Sung for her follower count.
Sung defended his actions, stating he felt compelled to ensure his culinary reputation remained intact. “I wanted to see what she did,” he explained, referring to her TikTok content. After viewing her work, he reportedly told Marcotte to “do her research,” after she admitted knowing little about the restaurant. This interaction led Marcotte to feel disrespected, and she subsequently left the restaurant, warning Sung, “There will be consequences.”
The fallout from this incident has been severe. Sung claims his family has been traumatized, with his daughter receiving 20,000 hate comments online. “My family is going to therapy together soon,” he revealed, emphasizing the emotional toll this has taken on them. Sung’s son, a musician, also faced a barrage of negative comments from online users.
What followed was an alleged digital hate campaign that has threatened Sung’s livelihood. Kis Cafe announced his departure as chef on social media, stating, “Our chef’s behavior was unacceptable.” Sung clarified he left of his “own accord,” but the damage had already been done.
Marcotte, in the aftermath, has seen her TikTok following surge to over 475,000 followers as she positions herself as an advocate for micro-influencers. “You don’t need to have a million followers to be respected,” she stated, maintaining that the incident has highlighted the challenges faced by smaller influencers.
Sung, who has worked alongside culinary legends and once helmed the popular Cal-French restaurant Isa, reflected on the broader implications of the incident. “It really takes pride to be a chef… why would a young chef learn to cook today if anyone can come in and close your restaurant?” he questioned.
As the situation continues to unfold, the chef’s future in the culinary world remains uncertain. The emotional and professional fallout has left him grappling with the need to rebuild both his career and family life.
What happens next for Sung and Kis Cafe remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the repercussions of this viral moment have rippled far beyond social media, affecting lives in profound ways.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
