A chef featured on a Netflix series became the victim of a racially motivated assault in downtown San Francisco, but fought back against her attacker.

Wendy Drew, who appeared in “You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment,” was leaving a business meeting when she was verbally and physically assaulted by a man who used racial slurs against her on Sunday night.

“I said, ‘Why are you calling me that? Why?’ Then he turns and starts hitting me on the head,” Drew told The San Francisco Standard. The South African-born chef retaliated, pulling her attacker into a nearby liquor store where she held him in a bear hug while calling for help.

Violent Struggle Captured on Video

Surveillance footage shows the struggle between Drew and the man, identified by police as Irvin Rivera-Lara. The video captures a customer pepper-spraying Rivera-Lara, who then repeatedly punched Drew in the face.

Drew suffered serious injuries, including a concussion and broken nose. “It may require surgery; they are not sure yet,” she said. Despite her injuries, Drew expressed gratitude to the staff at Cafe Terminus who came to her aid and to the police for their quick response.

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Arrest Made as San Francisco Grapples With Racist Incidents

Rivera-Lara, 31, was arrested on suspicion of assault, committing a hate crime, and providing false information to an officer. He has a history of violent behavior, having been previously arrested for attacking a sandwich shop owner.

This incident follows a series of racist occurrences in San Francisco, including the discovery of blackface dolls with nooses, racist graffiti at City Hall, and similar vandalism targeting a Black-led nonprofit.

Read more at The San Francisco Standard