Influencer tried to blackmail a 'mom & pop bakery' for free food — the owner hit back with the ultimate reverse uno

Food influencers have played a huge role in helping people discover hidden gems around the globe. While many share honest reviews of the places they visit, some are caught doing it solely for the free food. So what happens if they get denied? When one influencer posted a negative review of a French bakery in Arizona on October 7, the owner hit back with proof that she was sour over her unmet demand of free pastries!

The feud began when TikTok food vlogger Aurora Griffo, known as 'Glamorama' on TikTok, posted a negative review of a French-based bakery, JL Patisserie, located in Arizona. Critiquing several items from the menu, from pastries to coffee, the influencer shared a mixed take on the bakery's food quality. "I do not mind spending $10 on a pastry if they are really good, but you cannot use fake a** ingredients," Griffo said, according to People.

Following the influencer's harsh critique, the CEO of the bakery, Jenna Leurquin, hit back with shocking claims that made viewers side with the restaurant. Jenna Leurquin claimed that Griffo, without naming the influencer, had asked the bakery for a collaboration, which they had respectfully declined due to budget constraints. Leurquin revealed that the said influencer had tried to blackmail the owner by saying, "if we offered the food for free, she would write a good review about us." Leurquin said, "So we totally respect a bad review, but we don’t like lying and bullying." She proceeded to disprove Griffo's claims about the bakery using fake ingredients by taking her audience on a tour of the kitchen and inventory, showcasing the pistachio paste they import from Italy for their filling, the flour they bring in from Europe, and the made-from-scratch sourdough starter that takes six months to create.

Leurquin explained that the real issue lies in the potential influence on the next generation, who might begin to believe it is acceptable to bully and disrespect those in the food industry. Leurquin raised these concerns as screenshots of Griffo’s alleged social media comments on other restaurant pages appeared on the screen. "We like working with influencers, but acting like the working class is beneath you and promoting this kind of message on social media and bribing us for free stuff is not really something we support," she concluded. The response video soon came to the notice of Griffo, who shared her side of the story. In a now-deleted video, Griffo proceeded to deny the claims made by the bakery owner, saying that she "never said" she would "leave a good review for a free meal."

Although the influencer has now deleted the video from her account, many online users are convinced that she may have been lying. According to Robert Zniva, Wolfgang J. Weitzl, and Christina Lindmoser's study from 2023, consumers’ perception of influencer authenticity relies heavily on uniqueness and consistency. When influencer content appears scripted or inconsistent, it can significantly reduce brand trust and persuasion, ultimately weakening purchase intent. Soon after Jenna Leurquin's video reached millions of views, many online users gathered to show support for the bakery owner.

@captjamiehough wrote, "I think restaurants should start reviewing influencers!" @builtinhongkong commented, "Honestly, the audacity, love this trend of businesses calling these people out."

@kersteneats commented, "Influencers have ruined journalism, authenticity in restaurant reviews, marketing, and the culture of authentic engagement."

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