Nusret Gökçe, more commonly known today as Salt Bae achieved internet stardom and worldwide fame due to his steaks. One of the videos which helped him achieve significant popularity portrayed Salt Bae sprinkling salt before slicing and dicing a steak.
This popularity allowed the Turkish chef to expand his chain of steakhouses across several locations globally. One of these restaurants is in London, which can be found in Knightsbridge.
The video whereby he is featured to cook an Ottoman steak, which was published in the beginning of 2017 today holds more than sixteen million views. His style took the internet by storm, particularly his charisma in the way he sprinkles salt across the steaks. His nickname therefore originated from this unique maneuver.
Today Salt Bae enjoys celebrity status which has benefited his business greatly. He has cooked for several stars around the world including David Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio and DJ Khaled.
He is a sensation on social media as well, with over thirty million followers on Instagram. Today he leads a life which contrasts highly with his humble beginnings. He was born in 1983 and was the offspring of a miner. His background with steaks started off at a relatively early stage, at the age of twelve. In his twenties he refined his knowledge about butchery and steaks. As he expanded his understanding, he became more determined to open a restaurant and he was successful. His first steakhouse was launched in Istanbul in 2010. Success ensued and the brand grew, where he opened restaurants in Ankara, the Middle East, Doha and Dubai.
His fame across the internet enabled him to maintain momentum and open thirteen restaurants within one year, including in America and Greece. In 2021, he opened a restaurant in London, within Knightsbridge. His total tally of restaurants stands at fifteen.
A meal at one of his restaurants will cost a lot of money however. Some receipts have been shared online and it is customary to expect meals to exceed thousands. Commentators across the internet have also stated that the meals are so expensive, that the prices do not justify the experience.
It is believed that Salt Bae is aiming to open another restaurant in London, however the opening was delayed.
Salt Bae is no stranger to controversy, as the quality of his dishes was scrutinised and his Boston restaurant was forced to close for failing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions, risking public health and safety.
With respect to his relationship status, he has managed to keep this private, however he did state that he has nine children.
