Salt Bae: Rise, World Cup Controversy, Lawsuits & Fall

The internet’s favorite chef became a cautionary tale through one trophy grab. Nusret Gökçe, known as Salt Bae, built a global empire on a viral meme but now faces lawsuits and a tarnished reputation.

Net worth (estimated 2025): $100+ million ·
Nusr-Et locations worldwide: 20+ ·
Instagram followers: 50+ million ·
Michelin stars held: 0 ·
Lawsuits filed against chain (2023-2025): 3+

Eight key facts, one reality: the man behind the meme built a global empire but never earned the industry’s highest honor.

The pattern is clear: his viral fame outpaced his culinary credentials.

What has happened to Salt Bae?

Nusret Gökçe, known as Salt Bae, rose to fame in January 2017 after a video of him sprinkling salt on a steak went viral (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)). He expanded his Nusr-Et Steakhouse chain to over 20 locations across the globe, including New York, London, Dubai, and Istanbul (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)).

In December 2022, during the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France, Gökçe ran onto the pitch after Argentina’s victory. He grabbed the World Cup trophy, posed with players, and even bit their medals (AS USA (sports and entertainment outlet)). The behavior was widely condemned as cringeworthy and disrespectful.

Public sentiment turned sharply negative, with many calling his actions a desperate grasp for attention. According to an analysis by AS USA (sports and entertainment outlet), this moment marked the “beginning of the end” for his public image.

Why did Messi ignore Salt Bae?

At the post-match trophy ceremony, Lionel Messi appeared to deliberately ignore Salt Bae. Video clips show Messi walking past him without acknowledgment (AS USA (sports and entertainment outlet)). Reports indicated that Messi was furious because Gökçe touched the World Cup trophy without permission (Daily Mail (UK tabloid)).

FIFA later stated they were reviewing the incident and confirmed that Salt Bae did not have official pitch access (YouTube (news report clip)). The organization launched an investigation into the security breach (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).

• Messi’s visible irritation went viral, becoming a meme itself.
• The trophy is typically only handled by winners and heads of state; Salt Bae had no right to touch it.

The implication: a protocol breach transformed a viral star into a symbol of entitlement.

Why is Salt Bae getting sued?

Nusr-Et Steakhouse has faced multiple class-action lawsuits in the United States. In November 2019, four former employees accused Gökçe of taking a share of their tips and being fired after questioning the practice (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)). That case was settled for $230,000 (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)).

In 2023, additional lawsuits were filed in New York and Miami alleging wage theft, misclassification of workers, and failure to pay overtime (New York Post (US tabloid news)). The lawsuits claim that the restaurant kept a portion of service charges that were meant for staff (CBS News (US television news network)).

Former employees report grueling 12-hour shifts without breaks and withheld tips (AS USA (sports and entertainment outlet)). Gökçe has denied the claims (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)).

Has salt lost its Michelin star?

Despite the name “Salt Bae” and his culinary fame, Nusr-Et Steakhouse has never been awarded a Michelin star (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)). Michelin has not included any of his locations in its starred guides for New York, London, Dubai, or Istanbul.

Confusion sometimes arises from a separate restaurant called “Salt” in the UK, which closed in 2024 due to financial pressures (Mashed (food and culture website)). That closure is unrelated to Nusret Gökçe.

The catch: the viral meme never translated into fine-dining recognition.

Why was Salt Bae cancelled?

“Cancellation” in the context of Salt Bae refers to the widespread public backlash after the 2022 World Cup incident. The event was covered extensively by The Guardian (British daily newspaper), BBC News (UK public broadcaster), and Mashable (tech and culture site), with many calling his behavior “cringeworthy” and “attention-seeking.”

Social media platforms filled with mockery, and some users called for a boycott of Nusr-Et restaurants. Reports suggested that foot traffic and online reviews declined in several locations (Business Insider (financial news site)).

The incident compounded earlier negative press from the lawsuits, creating a perfect storm of public disapproval.

Timeline

• 2017 – Viral meme: Nusret Gökçe becomes an internet sensation as “Salt Bae” (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)).
• 2018–2021 – Global expansion: Nusr-Et opens in New York, London, Dubai, and other cities (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)).
• December 18, 2022 – World Cup final: Salt Bae runs onto pitch, grabs trophy, and interacts with Lionel Messi (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
• 2023 – Multiple class-action lawsuits filed for wage theft (New York Post (US tabloid news)).
• 2024–2025 – Legal proceedings continue; brand perception declines; no Michelin star ever earned.

Voices in the story

“I have a good relationship with FIFA… I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

— Nusret Gökçe, after the World Cup incident (Daily Mail)

“FIFA is reviewing the matter and confirms that the individual did not have official access to the pitch.”

— FIFA spokesperson, December 2022 (YouTube news report)

“They worked 12-hour shifts without breaks and the restaurant kept part of our tips.”

— Former Nusr-Et employee, lawsuit filing 2023 (CBS News)

For Salt Bae, the path forward is uncertain: his brand has suffered, but his net worth remains substantial. Yet without a Michelin star and with ongoing legal pressure, the empire built on a viral meme may need more than good seasoning to recover. For the average diner, the choice is clear: pay premium prices for a spectacle tainted by controversy, or look elsewhere for an authentic steakhouse experience.

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