Where did Salt Bae go? The butcher who became a meme and vanished from the spotlight

There is only one man in the world who became famous simply for the way he sprinkled salt on meat. That man is Nusret Gökçe, better known across the globe as Salt Bae.

It was through a video released in 2017 that Salt Bae shot to instant fame. The clip, which showcased his precision in slicing meat and his dramatic flourish of sprinkling salt by letting the grains fall from his fingertips, bounce off his forearm and land perfectly on the meat, took the internet by storm. The chef’s flair quickly turned into a viral sensation, transforming the process of sprinkling salt on meat into a stylish performance art.

Within a short time, his Instagram following soared past 50 million. However, the viral fame soon began to fade and the years that followed brought more controversy. His restaurant empire began to shrink and the legal troubles tarnished the once-glittering image of Salt Bae.

From a butcher’s apprentice to celebrity chef
Nusret Gökçe was born into an ordinary family in Turkey. Due to financial struggles, he had to drop out of school at the age of 13 and began working as an assistant to a butcher. After years of hard work, he opened a small steakhouse in Istanbul in 2010 and the venture turned out to be a success. His restaurant chain, Nusr-Et, soon expanded to major cities including Dubai, New York and London. Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, David Beckham and Rihanna dined at his tables, adding to his fame.

The chef who invaded the World Cup stage
The beginning of Salt Bae’s downfall can be traced to the 2022 FIFA World Cup final in Qatar. After Argentina’s victory, he bypassed security to enter the field, grabbing players for selfies and even attempting to handle the World Cup trophy.

The internet exploded in outrage, especially after footage showed Lionel Messi visibly uncomfortable with the intrusion. FIFA conducted an inquiry into the incident and subsequently banned Salt Bae from attending the US Open Cup final. He later admitted that his actions at the event were a 'mistake.'

The bills that left customers speechless
Even before the World Cup controversy, trouble had been brewing for Salt Bae’s restaurant empire. Media outlets in New York criticised the quality of food served in his restaurants.

In 2021, his restaurant in became the subject of heated debate when it was revealed that a Tomahawk steak was priced at around ₹63,000 and a 24-karat gold-coated steak cost a staggering ₹1.45 lakh. The controversy intensified when a customer posted a bill online showing charges amounting to ₹38 lakh for a single table!

As more customers shared such outrageous bills, his restaurants began losing credibility. Several outlets in the US eventually shut down and there were also allegations of employee discrimination and unpaid wages.

The comeback
Despite the setbacks, Salt Bae hasn’t given up. He continues to reinvent his brand with new ventures. Recently, he launched Salt Bae Burger in Dubai and reports suggest he’s planning to open new outlets at airports and a steakhouse in Mexico City.