Salt Bae fans shocked after hearing him speak for ‘first time’ in new year’s message

Salt Bae fans have been shocked to hear him speak for the ‘first time’ after the restauranteur shared a new year’s message on Instagram.

Watch the clip here:

Salt Bae, whose real name is or Nusret Gökçe, rose to fame with his signature salt-sprinkling technique and now has an empire of Nusr-Et steakhouses around the world.

While the food and drink star and his chain have been in headlines for all the wrong reasons lately, he believes he’s had a pretty good year – his ‘best’ yet, in fact.

Gökçe took to Instagram to thank fans for their support over the past 12 months, saying in a video: “Hi, everyone! I am so proud of myself because we did it. 2022: our best, best year.

“I hope again, more and more. 2023: our best year.

“I wish all the best. Happy New Year. I love you all. I am extremely happy because of you.

“Welcome 2023. We are ready, waiting for you.”

Instagram/@nusr_et

In the video’s caption, he added: “Thanks to you we are who we are!! Motivation organization operation 2023.”

But many people weren’t focusing on the message itself, having realised that it was the first time they’d ever actually heard him speak.

“Didn’t know you could speak,” one commented.

“Holy s**t he can talk,” another said, as a third added: “I thought that you can't speak.”

Someone else said it was the ‘first time’ they’d heard his ‘voice talking’, while another wrote: “[He] speak[s]?! Surprise for me.”

Of course, others heard Gökçe speak in a previous video that went viral, as it showed him saying 'avocado' in a particularly bizarre way:

More recently, however, he has been in some serious hot water following his World Cup final antics.

He was seen attempting to grab Argentinian captain Lionel Messi – who seemed to be trying to ignore him, opting to hug his teammates instead.

Gökçe eventually managed to get a selfie with the star footballer, posting it to Instagram. He also shared a snap of him cradling the coveted trophy, proudly flaunting himself touching an item that is supposed to be reserved for a ‘select group of people’, including winners.

As outlined on FIFA’s website, the winners’ trophy is only meant to be held by former winning athletes and heads of state.

It says: “As one of the most recognised sports symbols in the world and a priceless icon, the original FIFA World Cup Trophy can only be touched and held by a very select group of people, which includes former winners of the FIFA World Cup and heads of state.”