Climate of fear at “Salt Bae” – the scandal of the golden steak king

It is always the same movement, and always the slightly distorted face: dozens of videos on Instagram show how Nusret Gökce sprinkles some salt over a sliced ​​steak with his arm bent. Sometimes the steak is even decorated with gold. It should give the finishing touch in terms of taste – and above all underline the noble quality of the food. Gökce is referred to as “Salt Bae” on social media. Sprinkle salt on a steak and become famous, that’s what Gökce has done. And due to its popularity, several restaurants have opened.

He is considered a star. But now the news site “Business Insider” reveals in a report that there is a climate of fear in several restaurants that “Salt Bae” runs. The allegations paint a picture of an exploitative, sexist restaurateur who seems to have lost touch with his social media fame.

According to the Business Insider report, the so-called salt boy, who always follows Gökce when he is out and about in his own restaurants, already catches the eye. All guests are always waiting for Gökce to sprinkle some salt on the meat – and in order to do this at any time, a waiter must always carry a bowl of salt behind the owner. According to the report, other waiters find this activity demeaning.

The site also cites a manager who has opened restaurants for Gokce in New York and Miami. He says: “The restaurants were run by other people who were close to him and reported to him. But he was so focused on internet fame that he didn’t really think about what he was doing,” he said.

In addition, daily life in the restaurants must be almost unbearable for the waiters. “If he doesn’t like someone, you’re done, no message, nothing,” one waitress told Business Insider, “They tell you to leave immediately.” Gökce himself, on the other hand, would behave somewhat unrestrained in his restaurants. “He fell asleep on the tablecloths a few times,” says an employee. The waiters wouldn’t be sure they could leave before he woke up.

There is an imbalance in the perception of Gökce: on the one hand, the friendly, funny social media star; on the other, the appearance of a ruthless restaurant owner. According to the text, his restaurants are only popular when he himself is in town. Its fame helps to attract a large number of guests – but not the quality of the food itself.

There should also be a hostile atmosphere in the restaurants towards women. “Business Insider” has a November 2021 lawsuit citing Elizabeth Cruz. She worked as a bartender in a Gokce restaurant in New York. On her first day there, the manager asked her to put on a “short skirt, high heels, and a revealing top.” When the manager found out she was a Dominican, he told her, “My wife is a Dominican. I know what you women are like.” According to Business Insider, she took that as an allusion to sexual promiscuity.

She then followed the manager’s wishes in her choice of clothing, although she made it clear that she actually wanted to dress differently. The result: harassment from other employees, one followed her home at night and harassed her, the report continues. When she asked again to wear something else, her request was initially denied – and she was fired shortly after. According to Business Insider, the lawsuit is still pending. Gokce’s lawyers would push for arbitration, while the waitress’ lawyers wanted the lawsuit to continue.

In addition, the news portal quotes an employee who talks about a special way to maximize profits. The bartenders would have been instructed to pass on bottles of wine that guests opened but didn’t drink: you could just sell the wine by the glass. “It was about getting as much money as possible from the people who came in,” the London branch’s former head sommelier told Business Insider. Another former manager also told the news site: “His world was nothing but Instagram and fame. He was the sensation. Eventually he got this divine complex.”

The Business Insider contacted several restaurants, but they declined to comment on the allegations. Several legal proceedings against Gökce are still pending. A lawyer of his told the news portal: “The allegations are, in fact, nothing more than a replay of old legal disputes in which the claims were contested and which have long since been settled.” And: “Nusret employs over a thousand people around the world – it’s a pity that a few old complaints and a few unflattering comments overshadow the enormous effort required to maintain a global restaurant workforce, especially during covid.” They do not go into detail on the allegations.