Nusret Gökçe (born 1983), better known as Salt Bae, is a Turkish butcher, chef, and restaurateur. His unique technique for preparing and seasoning meat went viral as an internet meme in January 2017.
Gökçe founded Nusr-Et, a luxury steakhouse chain with locations in Turkey, Greece, the U.S., the U.K., UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia as of 2021. The restaurant’s name combines his own name with et, the Turkish word for “meat.”
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Salt Bae Net Worth
Salt Bae has a net worth of $80 million and has been involved in various controversies. In late 2017, he faced criticism for a photo posing in front of a picture of Fidel Castro. In 2018, a man was severely burned during a failed fire show at his Istanbul steakhouse.
Later, four employees accused him of taking their tips and firing them in 2019. In 2020, he violated COVID-19 protocols at his Boston restaurant. In 2022, he caused a stir at the FIFA World Cup and faced backlash over a £37,000 bill at his UK restaurant.
Early Life
Nusret Gökçe was born in Paşalı, a village in Şenkaya district of Erzurum Province, to a Kurdish family. His father, Faik, was a mineworker.
Due to financial struggles, Gökçe had to leave school in the sixth grade (aged 11–12) and began working as a butcher’s apprentice in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul. This early work experience played a crucial role in shaping his career in the culinary world.
Career
Between 2007 and 2010, Nusret Gökçe visited countries like Argentina and the United States, working for free in local restaurants to gain experience as a cook and restaurateur. After returning to Turkey, he opened his first restaurant in Istanbul in 2010 and later expanded to Dubai in 2014.
In January 2017, Gökçe gained worldwide fame as Salt Bae through viral videos showing his unique way of sprinkling salt. The post, viewed over 16 million times on Instagram, dramatically boosted his profile, attracting celebrities and politicians globally.
Personal Life
Nusret Gökçe has been involved in charitable efforts, including building a school in his hometown of Erzurum.
On Instagram, he shared that he had constructed a library, a guest house, a mosque, an English education center, and a computer laboratory in the area, contributing to the community’s development.
What happened to Salt Bae?
Salt Bae’s fame appears to be fading, as he faces challenges in maintaining his restaurant empire. His Nusr-Et Steakhouse in New York’s Meatpacking District has recently closed, according to a report from Eater NY. This closure comes as his company shifts its focus toward international markets, signaling a change in strategy.
Despite his earlier internet fame, the move reflects the struggles he’s encountered in the competitive restaurant industry.
Conclusion
Salt Bae’s rise to fame and fortune is a modern success story, blending culinary talent with savvy marketing and business development. His journey from a modest background to becoming a multimillionaire chef and entrepreneur is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and ability to capitalize on viral fame.
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FAQs About Salt Bae’s Net Worth
- What is Salt Bae’s net worth?
- Salt Bae has an estimated net worth of $80 million.
- How did Salt Bae become famous?
- He became famous for his unique style of seasoning meat, which went viral on the internet.
- What businesses does Salt Bae own?
- Salt Bae owns the Nusr-Et chain of luxury steakhouses with locations worldwide.
- Is Salt Bae involved in any controversies?
- Yes, he has faced controversies, including allegations of taking employees’ tips and violating COVID-19 safety protocols.
- What distinguishes Salt Bae’s restaurants?
