Luke Sung, head chef at a renowned San Francisco restaurant, has been dismissed following an incident in which he offered a complimentary dinner to a social media influencer while on duty. Management deemed the act a conflict of interest, as it bypassed standard promotional procedures.
The chain’s policy requires all publicity features—including influencer visits—to be coordinated through its marketing department. Sung reportedly made the gesture on impulse, before first obtaining the appropriate approvals. The influencer attended with a full entourage and without a formal agreement.
The incident occurred during peak service hours, according to coworkers. Shortly afterward, higher management reviewed internal policy violations and concluded the chef’s action undermined operational protocol.
Sung was terminated quietly; restaurant leadership has maintained that future collaborations must follow existing workflows. An internal memo, circulated to staff following the firing, emphasized the importance of consistency and clear line of communication when engaging with public figures or press.