Popular Turkish chef and butcher Nusret Gökçe, known better as “Salt Bae,” rose to fame in the culinary community in 2018 when his salt-sprinkling gesture was shared in various video clips and memes on social media. And though his popular name has allowed him to open high-end restaurants, he has also had his share of legal trouble in the past. This year is no different for Gökçe, who was recently hit with a $5 million lawsuit over copyright infringement of artwork, Eater New York reports.
The lawsuit was filed earlier this week by Brooklyn artist William Hicks. Seeking $5 million in damages, Hicks claims that Gökçe commissioned him and another artist to paint and install a large mural of the chef in his viral pose. The mural was for his restaurant chain Nusr-Et Steakhouse’s Miami location. Gökçe opened the fine dining restaurant in 2010, and now has locations all over the world, including Dubai and Mykonos.
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However, things went left when Gökçe began to print the artwork on his menus, cleaning wipes, takeout bags and other restaurant products without paying Hicks or obtaining a license to use the artwork outside of its intended use. When Hicks found out, he lawyered up and realized he had a case against the famous chef.
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This makes the latest lawsuit filed against the international restauranteur. In 2019, he was faced with a class-action lawsuit for underpaying his waitstaff and allegedly taking a portion of their tips. He also received an Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) complaint by a female worker who alleged that Gökçe was discriminatory and sexist. One woman complained that she was allegedly subjected to lower-paying positions and shifts based on her sex.
Now, the viral sensation is facing more legal drama, this time a multi-million dollar lawsuit that isn’t likely to go away anytime soon. No word yet on when Salt Bae is due in court.
