A food influencer, nicknamed as the “dine-and-dash-diva”, has been arrested in New York City, after allegedly eating out at multiple expensive restaurants – but then leaving without paying the bill.
Cops are currently holding Pei Chung, 35, in custody, after arresting her in Brooklyn. Records reveal she’s been barred from restaurants at least seven times since late October. The self-fashioned food influencer is said to arrive at fancy eateries dressed to the nines in lavish clothes, before ordering expensive meals and opting out of paying.
Those in the dining circuit have crowned her, “the-dine-and-dash diva”, and the police have said they have arrested her multiple times for refusing to pay bills.
As of Tuesday, the food influencer is being held on a cash bail of USD $4,500 at Rikers Island jail, with a court appearance scheduled for this week. She faces multiple charges of misdemeanour theft of services.
Restaurants that Chung is accused of stealing from have disclosed their woes to the press. Staff at Hole In The Wall said they took food back after Chung said she wanted to “pay with photos”. Speaking to the New York Times, the founder said: “She’s giving us more exposure than any one of these influencers we’ve actually coordinated with. Even after we took her food away, she posted about it, saying it was nice.”
Expensive meals, skipping the bill
A member of staff at Peter Luger Steak House told NBC News that after she allegedly declined to pay her bill she offered staff items from her handbag as an alternative – including a pair of scissors. After visiting the famous steakhouse, where she opted for almost $150-worth of steak, sides and dessert, she snapped pics of her meal and uploaded them online, alongside a rave review.
Allegedly, Chung has also refused to pay at Williamsburg restaurants at least six times – chancing her luck twice at the Michelin-starred brasseries Francie. In one October trip, she is said to have skipped out on the check after indulging in $15 foie gras, $32 carpaccio, $28 bucatini, $52 lamb and $19 hot chocolate mousse.
On Friday, Chung reportedly visited Brooklyn’s Mole for a third round. The owner described her as decked out in Prada, Louis Vuitton and Hermes, and police said she ordered $149 of dishes and then abstained when the check arrived.
Currently, Chung’s Instagram account has amassed 27.2k followers. The owner of Mole told the New York Post: “It’s only in New York City where someone like this becomes a folk hero.”
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