History of Salt Bae in Timeline

Nusret Gökçe, widely recognized as Salt Bae, is a Turkish chef and restaurateur who gained internet fame in 2017 for his distinctive meat preparation and seasoning style. He is the founder of Nusr-Et, a high-end steakhouse chain with locations in multiple countries including Turkey, Greece, the US, UK, UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The restaurant name is a combination of his name, Nusret, and the Turkish word for meat, "Et".

1983: Birth of Nusret Gökçe

Nusret Gökçe was born in 1983.

2007: Gökçe's Culinary Journey Begins

Gökçe embarked on a culinary journey in 2007, traveling to countries like Argentina and the United States to gain experience in various restaurants.

2010: First Restaurant Opens in Istanbul

In 2010, Gökçe returned to Turkey and opened his first restaurant in Istanbul.

2014: Dubai Restaurant Launch

Gökçe expanded his restaurant business in 2014 by opening a branch in Dubai.

2016: Photo with Fidel Castro Image

Gökçe took a photo with an image of Fidel Castro in 2016.

January 2017: Salt Bae Meme Goes Viral

In January 2017, Nusret Gökçe, known as Salt Bae, gained internet fame for his unique meat preparation and seasoning technique, which went viral through videos and memes shared online.

December 2017: Criticism for Fidel Castro Photo

Gökçe faced criticism in December 2017 for a 2016 photo where he posed imitating former Cuban President Fidel Castro.

September 2018: Fire Show Incident at Istanbul Restaurant

In September 2018, a fire show at Gökçe's Istanbul restaurant went wrong, injuring Czech internet personality Týnuš Třešničková and other guests.

2018: New York Steakhouse Receives Mixed Reviews

In 2018, Gökçe's New York City steakhouse received a mix of positive and negative reviews. While some praised the entertainment aspect, many critics found the food overpriced and underwhelming.

November 2019: Employee Lawsuit and Settlement

In November 2019, Gökçe faced a lawsuit from former employees alleging tip sharing violations. He settled the case for $230,000.

September 2020: Boston Restaurant Closure

Gökçe's Boston restaurant was temporarily closed in September 2020 due to COVID-19 safety violations.

October 2020: Boston Restaurant Reopens

The Boston restaurant reopened in October 2020 after addressing the safety violations.

October 2021: Scrutiny Over Expensive UK Restaurant Bill

Gökçe's UK restaurant attracted media attention and criticism in October 2021 for a £37,000 bill.

2021: Nusr-Et Expands Globally

By 2021, Gökçe's restaurant chain, Nusr-Et, had expanded to multiple locations across Turkey, Greece, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

December 2022: World Cup Final Controversy

Gökçe faced significant criticism for his actions during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final, where he was seen interacting with players and the trophy, leading to a FIFA investigation.

2022: London Restaurant Profits Soar

Gökçe's London restaurant experienced a 44% rise in pre-tax profits, reaching almost £3.3 million, with sales surging by almost 66% to £13.6 million in 2022.

2023: Manhattan Burger Bar Closes

In 2023, Gökçe's Manhattan burger bar, which had received negative reviews, closed down after three years of operation.

2024: London Restaurant's Controversial Heating Practices

In 2024, reports emerged about Gökçe's Knightsbridge restaurant in London turning off the heating despite a significant increase in profits, sparking controversy.