According to a social media influencer, money intended by food critic Keith Lee to be donated to hard-working employees, Black business owners, and the community has allegedly not been evenly distributed.
Ess Ess Aché posted on TikTok and X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, about how the owner of Sweetly Seasoned kept the entire $4,000 tip from Keith Lee for herself when he announced how he wanted the money distributed.
Lee, a popular food reviewer with over 15 million followers on TikTok, visited the food truck in North Dallas after the owner’s son mentioned they had issues attracting foot traffic.
@keith_lee125 #stitch with @Ignoranttrey Sweetly Seasoned taste test 💕 would you try it ? 💕 #foodcritic
During his visit, Lee discussed his intention to give $1,000 to the cashier, $1,000 to a barber in the parking lot (so he could provide free haircuts for the community for the day), and cover everyone’s food expenses for the day.
The cashier, Aché, informed Lee that the barber was her brother, so she charged him $4,000 to fulfill his requests. She assured Lee that she would give her brother his $1,000. Aché even mentioned that Lee paid $4,800 in total.
However, when the business owner learned about Lee’s gesture, Aché claimed that the owner instructed her to start charging customers again after the next three customers approached. When Aché inquired about the $1,000 for her brother, the owner stated that her brother had no affiliation with the business. In response to a social media comment asking why others Lee intended to support didn’t receive the money, the company account replied that only the owner and the owner’s son were affiliated with the business.
Keith Lee has practiced giving $1,000 tips to local business owners during his family food tour. In interviews, he mentioned that he does not charge business owners for his services but charges major corporations top dollar for endorsement deals.
You can watch the entire 9-minute accusation video below.
I WON’T STOP UNTIL MY BROTHER GETS HIS MONEY!!!
Keith Lee said to give it to the barber… and I’m gone post the blessing blockage you did everywhere I can!!
Sweetly Seasoned.. YOU OWE HIM!
👿👿👿👿 pic.twitter.com/rv8mO0J0SF
— Ess Ess Aché (@essessacheee) February 1, 2024
