The "Salt Bae" meme originated from a viral video featuring Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe, who is known for his unique and flamboyant style of seasoning food. The clip, which first hit the internet in early 2017, showcases Gökçe's dramatic flair as he sprinkles salt onto a dish by letting it cascade gracefully down his forearm. This theatrical method, along with his intense gaze and stylish appearance, captured the internet’s attention, quickly earning him the nickname "Salt Bae." The image of him in a white t-shirt with sunglasses, mid-sprinkle, became iconic and spawned countless memes.