Everyone is a 'Salt bae' fan!
By Yousuf Saifuddin Kapadia
Published: Sun 19 Mar 2017, 12:20 PM
Last updated: Mon 20 Mar 2017, 9:55 AM
Considered as the first viral internet sensation of 2017, Dubai's star chef Nusret Gökçe has been rubbing shoulders with celebrities, sport stars and royalty from all over the world.
Fondly nicknamed 'Salt Bae' by the Internet, the Turkish chef, butcher, restauranteur, and co-owner of the steakhouse chain Nusr-Et has become a hit among residents and even royalty - having recently met His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The chef recently added another Arab royalty to his list of fans - Jordan's King Abdullah II and wife Queen Rania.
Salt Bae, who shot to fame due to his finesse and flair in chopping meat topping it off with a sprinkling salt action - was hosted by the royal family on his recent trip to Jordan.
Posting this picture on his Instagram page, the chef thanked the King for his hospitality and generosity - and yes, that is King Abdullah imitating Salt Bae's famous action:
His restaurant, Nusr-Et, opened its doors in 2010 and has six locations across Turkey and Dubai with an under construction Abu Dhabi outlet. He plans to open branches in New York and London too.
Back when he met UAE's Sheikh Mohamed:
Even Hollywood and Bollywood stars can't resist 'Sath Bae's' charm and have flown down to Dubai to eat at his restaurant and meet him, including Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and macho man Sanjay Dutt.
Here's Sanjay 'baba' - as he is fondly called by film fraternity and fans - enjoying a steak at Nusret's eatery in Dubai.
It's noteworthy that the star had discovered the restaurant in Dubai months back in 2016 - before Nusret went viral:
Earlier in January, one of his Instagram videos went viral and the father of nine became an internet star overnight, spawning hundreds of #SaltBae memes and even a line of merchandise, including mugs and t-shirts.
Even superstar singer Rihanna couldn't resist getting a 'Salt Bae' t-shirt:
A photograph of him sprinkling salt on a piece of meat was even been tweeted by American singer Bruno Mars earning him the nickname 'Salt Bae'.
Nusret's Instragram following has grown rapidly since he went virat, garnering nearly 5 million followers.
Here's the chef with tennis great Roger Federer:
His videos of him chopping up steaks and ending it with his trademark 'salt sprinkle' have been garnering views in the millions, with his latest video having been watched more than 4 million times in two days!
Nusret is an owner of a small steak-house chain in Turkey. Nusret not only cooks and sells his original meat, but also carves carcasses with his own hands operating huge knives masterly, in a very elegant manner.
The chef is a true rags to riches story - according to local media reports - leaving school, because his family did not have money to pay for his education, and becoming an assistant of a butcher.
He now owns restaurants in Turkey, Dubai and Abu Dhabi and has over 400 people working for him.
Here is the handsome chef with his nine children:
His influence can even be felt in the sporting world, where players are celebrating victories with Nusret's trademark 'salt sprinkle' action:
yousufk@khaleejtimes.com
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