Latest news with #Nusr-Et
NDTV
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Vignesh Shivan Visits Chef Salt Bae's Restaurant, Tries His Viral Steak Salting Style
Turkish chef Nusret Gokce, also known as 'Salt Bae', is an internet sensation. Ever since a meme of him sprinkling salt on steak went viral, Nusret was catapulted to instant internet fame. The chef is the owner of a restaurant chain called Nusr-Et, which has 28 restaurants in 7 countries, including the US, Turkey, the United Kingdom, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Greece. Recently, South film director and actor Nayanthara's husband Vignesh Shivan visited Nusret's restaurant in UAE. The filmmaker shared a glimpse of his dinner experience at the restaurant on Instagram. The video featured Salt Bae flaunting his steak-cutting skills on the table while Vignesh curiously watched him do so. Then, Salt Bae asked Vignesh to imitate his famous salt sprinkling technique. Once the filmmaker was done showcasing his amateur skills, the chef took over and flaunted his signature style. The duo even ended the video with a fist bump. The side note read, "Love the style of @nusr_et , the energy, the amazing food. Thank you for being a sweet host and making everyone around happy. #HappyEaster." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vignesh Shivan (@wikkiofficial) Last year, the filmmaker celebrated Nayanthara's birthday in Delhi's Kake Da Hotel. He shared a video from the intimate celebration on Instagram. The clip featured the couple enjoying yummy Indian food spread at the iconic hotel. The dishes on the table seemed to be dal makhni, butter chicken, naan and more. In the caption, Vignesh wrote, "17th November. Smallest birthday eve celebration in these many years. A birthday eve dinner felt genuinely happy, personal, intimate and very tasty too #Delhi … just the two of us :) standing in the queue for 30 mins :) and then get a nice centre table … with a lot of things going on behind! still found a place to feel happy and be present in the moment." Check out the full post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vignesh Shivan (@wikkiofficial) Vignesh Shivan's foodie trails are one for the books. We are excited to see what's next on his foodie adventures.
News18
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Vignesh Shivan Meets The Viral Salt Bae Chef, Praises His Energy And Amazing Food
Last Updated: Vignesh Shivan called Salt Bae a 'sweet host' and praised him for making 'everyone around happy.' Vignesh Shivan, the South film director and husband of actress Nayanthara, seemingly celebrated Easter in Dubai. Taking to his Instagram account on Tuesday, April 22, the Paava Kadhaigal director revealed that he had met with one of the world's most celebrated chefs, Nusret Gokce, also known as Salt Bae. The latter owns a chain of luxury steakhouses named Nusr-Et and Vignesh happened to visit the one in Dubai. In the reel which the filmmaker shared, Salt Bae could be seen showcasing his striking cutting skills while Vignesh curiously watched him do so. After the chef had finely cut the steak, he placed the pieces on a hot sizzler plate. Following this, Salt Bae, who is most popular for his unique way of sprinkling salt, asked Vignesh to imitate his way. Once the 39-year-old director was done showcasing his amatuer skills, Salt Bae took over and flaunted his signature style of sprinkling salt. The two even shared a fist bump towards the end of the reel. In the caption, Vignesh wrote, 'Love the style of @nusr_et, the energy, the amazing food. Thank you for being a sweet host and making everyone around happy #HappyEaster." The Naanum Rowdy Dhaan director set the reel to one of Pushpa's BGM mixes and turned off the comment section of the post. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vignesh Shivan (@wikkiofficial) Speaking of his professional front, the 39-year-old director announced that his upcoming film Love Insurance Kompany has entered the post-production stage. The Tamil-language rom-com film will feature Pradeep Ranganathan, S. J. Suryah and Krithi Shetty in lead roles. Yogi Babu, Gouri G. Kishan, Mysskin, Seeman, Anandaraj, Sunil Reddy and Shah Ra will be seen in other key roles. Taking to his Instagram account just a few days back, Vignesh shared a post, expressing gratitude to all those who gave their all to the film. Sharing a series of behind-the-scenes pictures from the sets with the cast and crew, he wrote, 'Abundance of passion, love, honesty and hard work from each and everyone has built #LoveInsuranceKompany every day of shoot had a lot of challenges! But we never forgot to have a smile and also enjoy the process! Without the support of everyone in these frames, whatever magic we tried to create wouldn't have been possible!" He continued, 'Without compromising even for one frame, we are proud that we have put in our best efforts to make an original, fresh, entertaining movie 🙂 Post-production works kick start with all your love and support! To Bring it to you on a festival date to celebrate more with your friends & families." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vignesh Shivan (@wikkiofficial) Love Insurance Kompany is being produced by Nayanthara in collaboration with Seven Screen Studios, and is scheduled to be released sometime this year. First Published:
Leaders
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
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. Short link : Post Views: 4
Arabian Business
05-02-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
EXCLUSIVE: ‘We are not expensive': Salt Bae defends high prices for steak
Nusret Gökçe, the celebrity chef known globally as Salt Bae, has defended the price of his food at his luxury steakhouse chain Nusr-Et. In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business, Gökçe also claimed his restaurants are thriving with sales up on previous years. Whilst many critics argue that the costs are excessive for what is offered at Salt Bae's venues, the Turkish butcher and social media star justified his pricing point. 'We are not expensive. This is a perception, not reality. Our product is the best of the best,' Gökçe said. 'Quality is never expensive. People keep saying it's expensive, but they never come and try the food. They never actually come and pay. If you try the food, you'll not say that it's expensive. So I invite everyone to first come and try and then we will talk about if it's expensive or not.' However, Gökçe's statements may do little to quell the controversy. Viral posts showing receipts from his restaurants, including an AED 615,000 ($167,000) bill shared on his social media, have drawn sharp criticism. Many argue that such extravagance is out of reach for the average diner. Gökçe insists these high bills reflect the unique dining experience and optional luxury add-ons such as gold-wrapped meat. 'This is our record. That's why I show it on social media,' he said. 'You can pay 1 million if you come and drink the expensive wine, if you eat a lot of gold meat. But normally for one person, you'll pay $100–if you go to another restaurant of the same standard, you will pay exactly the same.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nusr_et#Saltbae (@nusr_et) His menu's most extravagant item, the Golden Ottoman steak, priced at AED 3,500 and boasting a Wagyu Grade of 7, is a standout for those seeking indulgence. But Gökçe is eager to highlight the more accessible options, such as the AED 180 lunch special available in Dubai and London. This budget-friendly option has attracted diners looking for a taste of the Nusr-Et experience without the premium price tag. Salt Bae: Revenue challenges and growth The Turkish butcher-turned-restaurateur's global empire spans cities like Dubai, London, and New York, but not without its challenges. His London branch in Knightsbridge, for instance, saw profit before tax fall by 50 per cent in 2023, with turnover dropping from GBP 13.6 million in 2022 to GBP 9.3 million in 2023. Critics point to these figures as evidence that the high prices may not be sustainable. Nonetheless, Gökçe's team paints a more optimistic picture. According to figures shared with Arabian Business, covers in 2024 were up 50 per cent and revenues increased by 20 per cent compared to the previous year. 'People come not just for the food but for the experience,' Gökçe said. 'It makes me feel very happy when someone spends money here because I know they're enjoying everything we've created. I hope whoever comes will spend the same money.' Looking ahead, Gökçe is doubling down on expansion. Despite already having 30 branches across the globe, 2025 will see Nusr-Et open new locations in Mexico City, Monaco, Milan, Rome, Cappadocia, and Istanbul. 'We keep growing,' Gökçe said proudly. '2025 will be the company's biggest year yet.' Critics, however, argue that focusing on social media stunts, like sharing extravagant receipts, alienates potential diners who feel the restaurant is catering to the ultra-wealthy. Gökçe counters this by emphasising the accessibility of his brand for different budgets and tastes. 'We have something for everyone,' he said.
Arabian Business
05-02-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Salt Bae in talks for steakhouse in Neom, Jeddah, Mecca
Nusret Gökçe, famously known as 'Salt Bae,' has revealed he's in discussions to bring his signature Nusr-Et steakhouse to Saudi Arabia's ambitious Neom project. The news comes after the closure of his Riyadh restaurant in April 2024, which served the capital for less than two years. In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business, Gökçe shared his plans for the future, describing 2025 as a transformative year for his brand. 'I think 2025 will be our best year yet,' he confidently explains. 'We will open in Mexico City, Monaco, Milano, Rome, Cappadocia, Istanbul. This is our 2025 opening plan,' taking his restaurant count to almost 40 locations. Addressing the closure of his Riyadh branch, Gökçe pointed to challenges with timing and location but remained optimistic about his relationship with Saudi customers. 'Normally, you know we have a very good relationship with the Saudi people. Many come to Nusr-Et in Istanbul. All Saudis love Nusr-Et, they love the brand, they love our food, and we love Saudi,' he said. The Riyadh restaurant, located in Cenomi U Walk, launched in late 2021 but had ceased operations by early 2024. Reflecting on this, Gökçe explained, 'We've decided we must open in a different location. I want to open in Mecca and in Jeddah, and when that is successful, I want to open in the new project in Saudi,' referring to the Kingdom's futuristic, $500 billion mega-city which is under construction. The restaurateur confirmed discussions are underway to establish a Nusr-Et in Neom. Telling Arabian Business, 'With Neom, we start to talk together for the future with the Saudi's and we'll come back to the country very soon.' Salt Bae's Dubai dominance Salt Bae's steakhouses, known for their opulent ambiance, theatrical presentations and premium cuts of meat, have become a global phenomenon since Gökçe gained international fame with his viral 'salt sprinkling video' in 2016. With over 30 locations worldwide, the chain boasts branches in cities such as New York, Miami, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London and Beverly Hills. Despite the multiple locations, Nusret Gökçe told Arabian Business, his Dubai branch is by far the most profitable and remains, 'one of the most important' restaurants in his portfolio. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nusr_et#Saltbae (@nusr_et) 'Out of all my restaurants in terms of revenue it does the best so from a business perspective it's important,' he said. Adding, 'Every restaurant is like my baby, but Dubai is very important because I was born in Turkey, but Dubai made me international.' The restaurants have attracted star-studded clientele, including celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, David Beckham and Naomi Campbell. Gökçe's larger-than-life persona and attention to detail have propelled the brand into a multi-million-dollar success story. 'We keep on growing … business never sleeps, our concept, our brand, everybody around the world is waiting for us,' he confidently said.
