Salt Bae Eyes Saudi Arabia Return: New Ventures Ignite Culinary Passion
Famous chef Nusret Gökçe, known as Salt Bae, has revealed that he is preparing an exciting comeback to Saudi Arabia with determined, innovative spirit. The Turkish butcher-turned-restaurateur confirmed he is in talks to bring his signature Nusr-Et steakhouse to the Kingdom with potential openings in Jeddah, Makkah and even the ambitious NEOM project.
This follows the closure of his Riyadh steakhouse in April 2024, which operated for under two years. His Nusr-Et Steakhouse chain spans 28 global locations. By 2022, it achieved $225 million in sales, marking 57% growth since 2018. Recent expansions target Mexico City, Milan, and Rome, while operations paused in Dallas and Las Vegas.
In an interview with Arabian Business, the Turkish chef confirmed his potential return to Saudi Arabia.
'We're in talks with the Saudis about the future. We will come back soon and strong,' he said.
'We have a very good relationship with the Saudi people,' he explained, adding that plans are already underway for venues in Jeddah, Makkah and NEOM. Luxury Dining and World Cup Controversy
Gökçe defended his high-end pricing, stating, 'Our product is the best. You pay for quality and service.' Menus feature gold-leaf steaks, like the £850 Tomahawk, drawing global attention. Despite criticism, his Instagram-driven brand thrives, leveraging celebrity visits from Lionel Messi and Leonardo DiCaprio. Airport expansions, including a 2023 Istanbul outlet, aim to broaden accessibility.
Outside of his restaurants, he faced criticism in 2022 for appearing on the pitch at the end of the World Cup final in Qatar.
Salt Bae admitted, 'It was my mistake. If I knew the rules, I would never have touched it. Normally, people talk about the World Cup for a few months. But since I touched it, people are still talking about me.
'Next World Cup, even if I have the chance, I'll never touch the World Cup. I will go to the stadium to see the match, but I'll never touch it again.' The incident fueled lasting media scrutiny. However, his social media mastery—boasting 50 million followers—continues to drive engagement, blending culinary artistry with viral theatrics.
Future Vision: Culinary Innovation and Community Impact
Beyond expansion, Gökçe emphasizes sustainability, redirecting food waste to shelters and recycling oil into biodiesel in Turkey. He aims to replicate these initiatives globally, aligning with Saudi sustainability goals. His temporary Jeddah Season pop-up in 2019 hinted at deeper regional ties, now solidified through the potential partnerships.
Ultimately, Salt Bae promises a dynamic return, igniting local pride while elevating Saudi Arabia's gourmet landscape with fervent innovation truly.
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