Turkish restaurateur Salt Bae slammed for tone-deaf post showing patrons spent nearly RM800,000 at outlet
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 — Celebrity butcher-turned-chef Salt Bae has come under fire from social media users for boasting a bill totalling AED615,065 (RM763,577) at his Abu Dhabi restaurant.
Taking to his Instagram, the Turkish restaurateur, whose real name is Nusret Gokce, shared the bill was spent by a group of 14 patrons on November 17. He captioned it “quality never expensive”.
Followers came in droves to criticise the 39-year-old, who became famous on the internet in 2017 for his salt-sprinkling pose.
According to Instagram user @the_fitpilot, seeing the dinner bill made him sad as it could have saved an entire city from hunger for days.
“No one should ever pay AED 405 (RM502) for still water,” he commented.
Another user @tbjayraw said he had lost respect for the chef.
“And I bet you’re not even using the profits towards anything beneficial for the less fortunate,” he wrote.
However, @emeka_ej was more forgiving as he said Gokce was a businessman, after all.
He said those who voiced their anger at the chef should direct them at their leaders and politicians instead.
His chain of luxury steak houses — Nusr-Et — is known for its staggering prices.
A single piece of steak can cost £630 (RM3,399) and four Red Bulls energy drinks £44 (RM237).
