NYC 'diva' food influencer arrested for dining and dashing

Police in New York City are holding a woman in custody who has been accused of dining at multiple upscale restaurants and then refusing to pay for her lavish meals.

Pei Chung, 35, has been arrested and banned from restaurants at least seven times since late October, according to police records.

The self-styled food influencer has attracted attention among the city's vibrant dining scene in just a few weeks. She reportedly dresses in expensive outfits, and arrives at restaurants with a high-resolution camera and lighting equipment, earning her the nickname, the "dine-and-dash diva".

As of Tuesday, she was being held on bail at Rikers Island jail, with a court appearance planned for this week.

She is being held on a cash bail of $4,500 (£3,400).

Restaurant staff have chronicled her bizarre behaviours on social media, and in local news stories, over the past several weeks.

One employee of the famed Peter Luger Steak House told NBC News that after she allegedly declined to pay her bill she offered staff items from her handbag -including a pair of scissors - instead.

She also remained inside the restaurant for several hours, and later posted a glowing review of the expensive meal online.

Other restaurateurs have alleged she offered to review their food or post photos on her social media account as her payment, while still others have accused her of simply walking out, without paying.

Ms Chung did not respond to a message that the BBC sent to her Instagram account, where she boasts 26,000 followers.

She is facing multiple charges of misdemeanour theft of services.

Her story has attracted attention to the role played by influencers in fine dining, and restaurant policies about how much to welcome or avoid them.

Hole In The Wall, one of the restaurants that she is accused of stealing from, says that they took back their food after Ms Chung said she wanted to pay with photos.

"She's giving us more exposure than any one of these influencers we've actually coordinated with," founder Tom Rowse told the New York Times.

"Even after we took her food away, she posted about it, saying it was nice."