In response to a recent controversial review of JL Patisserie, a bakery in Phoenix, food influencer Keith Lee traveled to Arizona to evaluate the establishment firsthand. Lee, a former MMA fighter and popular social media food critic with 17.2 million TikTok followers, visited the bakery after a local influencer criticized its offerings, which included coffee and quiche, in a now-deleted video. This critique sparked significant backlash, given that JL Patisserie was a semifinalist for the 2023 James Beard Awards and has been recognized as “Best Pastries” by Phoenix New Times.
Jenna Leurquin, the owner of JL Patisserie, responded to the negative review by addressing what she deemed misleading comments about her bakery’s ingredients. She also claimed the critic had attempted a quid pro quo arrangement for a favorable review in exchange for complimentary food. After this incident, many locals showed support by visiting the bakery. The critic has since apologized, citing personal threats and stating plans to leave the area.
Upon visiting JL Patisserie, Lee sampled various items, such as a chocolate croissant, a seasonal miso-mushroom danish, and a cruffin. His video review, in which he rated the cruffin a perfect 10, garnered significant views, further elevating the bakery’s profile. Lee also donated $4,000 to the bakery, splitting the amount between tips for the staff and covering customers’ purchases.
- Why it matters: This incident highlights the significant influence of social media on local businesses and consumer behavior, illustrating how a single review can impact a bakery’s reputation and sales.
- The latest: Keith Lee’s review video has reached 4 million views on TikTok, amplifying JL Patisserie’s presence online.
Source: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/food-drink/tiktok-food-celeb-keith-lee-reviewed-a-viral-valley-bakery-40616232/
Source: https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/food-drink/tiktok-food-celeb-keith-lee-reviewed-a-viral-valley-bakery-40616232/