HE is a social media phenomenon, so it’s no wonder he’s a hit with the world’s top footballers.
Salt Bae, real name Nusret Gökçe, broke the internet in 2017 when a video went viral of the chef cutting meat and seasoning it with salt.
His signature move of sprinkling the condiment over his dishes was turned into memes that rattled around the internet – and he soon opened restaurants all over the world.
The Premier League’s elite, including Mesut Ozil, Sergio Aguero, Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata all wanted a slice of the action.
So they flocked to his 13 eateries, dotted around the world in places ranging from Abu Dhabi to Miami.
His now iconic stance has been aped by footballers, including David Beckham, who was thoroughly entertained by Bae.
Salt Bae’s trademark action was even turned into a goal celebration by Danny Welbeck after netting in a FA Cup game for Arsenal.
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So, what’s so special about the 35-year-old Turkish restaurateur?
His food…
A master with a knife, he used to be a former a butcher, Bae specialises in meat.
He learned how to cook a steak properly in Argentina when he lived in Buenos Aires in 2009.
His protein-based dishes – meat and salad – are perfect for a footballer’s diet.
SHARPSHOOTER Sergio Aguero is fed a huge steak off the end of a knife by cult chef Salt Bae
However, be warned, they come at footballer’s wages prices. He sells his Nusret Special, a beef fillet, for around £190.
He’s a showman…
There’s no doubt that footballers love something showy.
Bae, himself, is a bona fide star, amassing 12 million Instagram followers since 2017.
He wears sunglasses indoors, has his hair in a ponytail and is as extravagant as they come.
Bae’s also cooked for the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, P Diddy and Antonio Banderas, so he has celeb kudos.
Throw in his famous salt sprinkle move and he’s the ultimate performer chef.
Although we doubt there’s a science behind salt granules dribbling down from his elbow…
Bae’s restaurants can be found in the world’s hotspots…
Footballers travel to the world’s most stunning resorts and places.
Their havens are hotspots such as Dubai, Miami, Doha and New York, which is where Bae’s Nusr-Et Steakhouses can be found.
Scoring a table is like winning the lottery, but if you’re a footballer you’ll love that exclusivity and probably get one with ease.
Once there, you can be sure Bae will pull out all the stops to ensure a footballer is looked after, often serving them from a skewer.
And the likes of Robin Van Persie, Manuel Neuer, Ashley Young and Jose Fonte have all gone for the obligatory selfie with the great man.
And he’s a football fan…
Turks love the beautiful game, and Bae champions football on his social media, which makes him a fan.
In fact, when Arsenal and England forward Welbeck did his impression of Bae after scoring for the Gunners, Bae shared the moment online.
Marseille’s Brazilian defender Doria also mimicked the cook on the pitch, who in return shared his goal with his followers.
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It was no surprise when that celebration officially replaced the dab all over Europe.
Bae has entertained Galatasaray players in his restaurants in the past, but we don’t know what team he follows.
Bae’s a humble man…
Despite building a brand worth millions, Bae is a very modest man.
That stems from an upbringing, which some footballers can probably relate to, in which he was the son of a miner and grew up poor.
He left school when he was young because his family couldn’t afford his education.
Instead, he became a butcher’s apprentice and the rest is history.
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