Turkey earthquake: Salt Bae praised for providing hot meals
What's the story
More than a week has passed since the catastrophic 7.8 earthquake hit Turkey and Syria. Survivors are struggling without shelter, and lack of food. Many countries and organizations have come forward to help by sending rescue workers, equipment, and aid. Celebrity chef Nusret Gökçe, popularly known as Salt Bae, has made arrangements for thousands of earthquake survivors in Turkey.
Mobile kitchens
Salt Bae's mobile kitchens received praise from netizens
The 39-year-old chef rolled out a mobile kitchen to go to the disaster zone and deliver hot meals to feed 5,000 survivors daily, besides delivering blankets and basic necessities to those in need. The celebrity chef has characterized his food drive as his "most important and meaningful service in the world." He received praise from netizens for his philanthropic gesture.
Bulk meals
Video shows chefs preparing bulk meals
In one of the Instagram videos, a mobile kitchen with his name on the side is seen packing up and leaving a warehouse. The video caption read, "We started serving hot food to more people, targeting 5,000 people every day." The video shows chefs preparing meals in bulk while survivors are seen queuing in the freezing cold outside the food truck.
Praises & criticisms
Netizens ask, charity or publicity?
A majority of Instagram users praised Salt Bae for his work. However, some thought it to be a publicity stunt. Commenters criticized Bae for posting close-up and slo-mo shots of the kitchen. One of the comments read, "Stop seeking mileage from their suffering. Do it with grace and move on." Nevertheless, the post mostly garnered positive reactions from people.
CZN Burak
Chef CZN Burak too flew to Turkey to serve food
Another celebrated Turkish chef and restaurateur, Burak Ozdemir, known as CZN Burak, flew from the UAE to the earthquake-hit zone to set up a pop-up kitchen with his team. He has been cooking himself for the survivors. In an Instagram video, he can be seen hugging people. "May Allah bless everyone who is trying their best," he wrote in the post.
FIFA controversy
Salt Bae and the FIFA controversy
A few months ago, Salt Bae got embroiled in a controversy for holding, kissing, and pretending to sprinkle salt on the World Cup trophy. He was also involved in accosting Lionel Messi in an attempt to click a selfie with him, just after Argentina's penalty shootout victory over France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals match. His actions had left the internet fuming.