Hi! I am a classically trained chef (French Culinary Institute) and college graduate (Villanova University), with 25+ years of restaurant experience, most of which were in some of New York City's finest restaurants--Le Cirque, Bar Boulud, Balaboosta, ilili, etc. I am able to create wonderful culinary experiences with inspiration from Mediterranean, Latin, Middle Eastern, and Western European cuisines, as well as Contemporary American dishes. My restaurants have been voted Best in The Region in 2020 and 2021 and I myself, was voted Best Chef in the Saratoga Region in 2021. In addition to providing culinary experiences, I am also a Sommelier and able to provide Beverage services to your dinner, should you decided to take your event to the next level!

My Chef services may include Wine Pairings, Spirits Tastings and for larger groups, at no additional charge, a Server/Bartender Assistant.

Whether it's a casual picnic or the most elegant fine dining experience, I look forward to cooking for you!

For me, cooking is...

By far, the best possible way to combine creativity and love in a way that brings people together.

I learned to cook at...

Originally, by watching my mother at a young age. Then, at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan and several top NYC restaurants.

A cooking secret...

Less is more. Let amazing ingredients take center stage and speak for themselves, rather than over-complicate the dish.

My menus

1...2...3...LET'S GO!

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Arugula & crispy chickpea salad, shaved red onion, sumac-mint vinaigrette

Frisée salad with buttered radish, fried shallots, pine nuts and lemon-dijon vinaigrette

Roasted Fennel & Orange Salad, with Toasted Pepitas, Local Mint and Aleppo Chili Vinaigrette

Chickpea Croquetas over Tomato Fondue, with Toasted Walnut Chermoula

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Braised Lamb Flatbread with Smoked Caramelized Onions, Crumbled Feta, Fresh Mint

Adobo spiced braised Chicken Thigh, Roasted Red Pepper Chimichurri, Local Microgreen Salad

Pistachio crusted Sea Scallops, Sauteed Dandelion Greens, Labneh Tahini Sauce, Red Finger Chilis

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Butter braised lobster tail, warm hand-pressed soft corn tortillas, shaved red cabbage & jalapeño salad, ancho chili crema

Local Dry-Aged Duck Breast over Sage Butter Whipped Sweet Potato, with Pomegranate Jus and Shaved Radish Salad

Cocoa Rubbed Prime Sirloin Steak over Chili White Bean Purée and Grilled Scallion Salad

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding with Local Honey Chantilly Cream

Awamaat - Lebanese-style beignets with Orange Blossom Glaze

Churro Waffle, Spiced Dark Chocolate Sauce, Mexican Hot Chocolate Gelato

Lovers of Latin

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Ceviche of shrimp & mahi mahi, red onion, sweet potato, jalapeño, toasted pepitas, cilantro, mango-habañero dressing, tostadas

Roasted Fennel & Orange Salad, with Toasted Pepitas, Local Mint and Aleppo Chili Vinaigrette

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roasted cauliflower, warm lemon-mustard vinaigrette, toasted pepitas, black currants, creamy black bean puree

Adobo spiced braised Chicken Thigh, sage-butter whipped sweet potato, pickled red onion

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Butter braised lobster tail, warm hand-pressed soft corn tortillas, shaved red cabbage & jalapeño salad, ancho chili crema

Local Whole Roasted Trout, stuffed with Cinnamon Rice and Toasted Almonds and Finished with Grapefruit Pico de Gallo

Cocoa Rubbed Prime Sirloin Steak over Chili White Bean Purée and Grilled Scallion Salad

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Churro bread pudding, spiced dark chocolate sauce, cinnamon cream

Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Torte with Sweetened Chili Creme Fraiche

Local AF

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Local Harvest Greens, with Pickled Red Onions, Toasted Walnuts and Tahini Dressing

Roasted Local Cauliflower Velouté, with Herb-Truffle Oil and Toasted Hazelnuts

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Local Maitake Mushroom Risotto, finished with Vermont Butter, Freshly Grated Grana and Local Spring Pea Shoots

Roasted local lion's mane mushrooms over pommes aligot, warm peppercorn vinaigrette, parsley-shallot salad

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Local Dry-Aged Duck Breast over Sage Butter Whipped Sweet Potato, with Pomegranate Jus and Shaved Radish Salad

Local Whole Roasted Trout, stuffed with Cinnamon Rice and Toasted Almonds and Finished with Grapefruit Pico de Gallo

Adobo spiced braised Chicken Thigh, Roasted Red Pepper Chimichurri, Local Microgreen Salad

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding with Local Honey Chantilly Cream

Local Raspberry Mousse with Basil Sugar Glass Tuille

Mambo Italiano

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Braised Meatball over Creamy Polenta and Spicy Marinara, with Onion & Pepper Agrodolce

Arancini with Spicy Marinara and Freshly Shaved Grana Padano Cheese

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Campanelle in Pesto with Toasted Pine Nuts and Pecorino Romano

Cacio e Pepe - Bucatini with Pecorino & Crushed Black Peppercorns

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Whole Roasted Branzino with Preserved Lemon & Pistachio Gremolata

Tuscan-style Roasted Steak with Fried Rosemary Butter & Sautéed Rapini

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu - Italian cake of ladyfingers, custard and coffee

Budino - Dark Chocolate Mouse with Sea Salt Caramel Cream

Dinner on the Mediterranean

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Arugula & crispy chickpea salad, shaved red onion, sumac-mint vinaigrette

Mezze Tasting - Dips Course: Hummus, Labneh & Mouhamara. Served with Crudite and Warm Pita Bread

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Mezze Tasting - Vegetable Course: Tabbouleh Salad, Lebanese Moussaka, Loubia bil Zeit

Braised Lamb Flatbread with Smoked Caramelized Onions, Crumbled Feta, Fresh Mint

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lamb Makloubeh - Braised lamb over rice, with roasted eggplant, piquillo peppers and mixed nuts

Samkeh Harra - Roasted branzino over rice, herb-tahini dressing, toasted pine nut & grapefruit dukkah

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Sweet Cheese Tart with Kataifi, Crushed Pistachio and Orange Blossom Syrup

Homemade Baklava with Orange Blossom Honey and Crushed Pistachios

Parler Français?

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Frisée salad with buttered radish, fried shallots, pine nuts and lemon-dijon vinaigrette

Roasted cauliflower velouté with herb-truffle oil and toasted hazelnuts

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roasted local lion's mane mushrooms over pommes aligot, warm peppercorn vinaigrette, parsley-shallot salad

Chickpea Croquetas over Tomato Fondue, with Toasted Walnut Chermoula

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Duck confit over crispy pommes anna, fried rosemary jus, roasted Lucques olives

Scallops à la Meunière over toasted almond risotto, pickled endive salad

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Warm lemon crumb torte, raspberry coulis, chantilly cream

Flourless Chocolate Torte with Local Raspberry Coulis

Show me more

Chef Kareem's reviews

4.92

•

10 services

Chef Kareem was a delight to have over! Great food and very good with communication

Chef Kareem was amazing! The food was absolutely delicious- the best polenta any of us have had! The cleanup and professionalism was great.

The Chef came all the way to our home in Shelbourne Falls from Troy. He was very efficient. In three short trips to his car, he brought in everything needed. He had a very nice demeanor, and pleasant to chat with, and the food was delicious! Overall, a great experience!

During our bachelorette trip, we hired Chef Kareem who blew us away with his cooking skills! He cooked up the most delicious dishes that left us wanting more. Each dish tasted so good and had a perfect mix of flavors. What made it even better was how nice and helpful the chef was. He paid attention to what we liked and made sure everything was just right. Plus, he surprised us with some a great bottle of wine to go with our meal, which made the night even more special. Overall, our bachelorette trip wouldn't have been as awesome without Chef Kareem. We give him five stars and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a fantastic dining experience. Thanks for making our celebration unforgettable!