What is Salt Bae's Net Worth?

Nusret Gökçe, famously known as Salt Bae, is a Turkish chef and restaurateur renowned for his unique method of preparing and seasoning meat. His net worth is estimated to be $80 million. Gökçe owns a chain of luxury steakhouses named Nusr-Et, with branches in the United States, United Kingdom, Middle East, and Greece. Over the years, he has faced controversies, including allegations of taking employees' tips and violating COVID-19 safety protocols.

Early Life

Nusret Gökçe was born in 1983 in Paşalı, Erzurum Province, Turkey, into a Kurdish family. He has four siblings, and his father, Faik, was a mineworker. Due to financial difficulties, Gökçe had to leave school in the sixth grade and started working as a butcher's apprentice in Istanbul's Kadıköy district.

Restaurateur Career

From 2007 to 2010, Gökçe traveled to several countries, working at local restaurants for free to gain experience. In 2010, he opened his first restaurant in Istanbul. In 2014, he expanded to Dubai. After going viral in 2017, Gökçe launched the Nusr-Et chain. The name Nusr-Et is a pun, with "Et" meaning "meat" in Turkish. The chain now has locations in Greece, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several Middle Eastern countries including Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Internet Meme

In 2017, videos and pictures of Gökçe's distinctive way of sprinkling salt went viral on social media. His method involved dropping salt from his fingertips, down his forearm, and onto the dish, earning him the nickname "Salt Bae." The viral sensation garnered over 10 million views on Instagram and drew the attention of celebrities and politicians worldwide.

Nusret Gökçe net worth

(Photo by Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Critical Reception

Despite his online popularity, Gökçe's steakhouse chain has received mixed reviews. Critics have described his New York City steakhouse as mundane, over-salted, and overpriced. Nonetheless, the restaurants are appreciated for their entertainment value, especially when Salt Bae is present.

Controversies

Gökçe has faced various controversies. In late 2017, he was criticized for posing in front of a picture of former Cuban president Fidel Castro. In 2018, a failed fire show at his Istanbul steakhouse led to severe burns for a customer. Later, four former employees accused him of taking their tips and subsequently firing them. In 2020, his Boston restaurant was temporarily closed for violating COVID-19 safety protocols. In 2021, patrons at his UK restaurant were shocked by a £37,000 bill. Additionally, in 2022, he stirred controversy by joining the Argentine team on the field after the FIFA World Cup final in Qatar.

Charity

Gökçe is involved in various charitable efforts. He built a school, a library, a guest house, a mosque, and an English education center in his home province of Erzurum.