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. 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

For the love of latin

STARTER

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

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

FIRST COURSE

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

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

MAIN COURSE

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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

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Churro bread pudding, spiced dark chocolate sauce, cinnamon cream

Gluten Free Dark Chocolate Torte with Sweetened Ginger Creme Fraiche

Upstate Local Love

STARTER

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

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

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Local Blue Oyster Mushroom Risotto, finished with Vermont Butter and Freshly Grated Grana Padano

MAIN COURSE

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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

DESSERT

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Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding with Local Honey Chantilly Cream

Local Raspberry Mousse with Basil Sugar Glass Tuille

Mambo Italiano

STARTER

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Braised Meatball in Cheesy Polenta with Onion & Pepper Agrodolce

Arancini with Spicy Marinara and Freshly Shaved Grana Padano Cheese

FIRST COURSE

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Campanelle in Pesto with Toasted Pine Nuts and Pecorino Romano

Cacio e Pepe - Bucatini with Pecorino & Crushed Black Peppercorns

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Tuscan-style Roasted Ribeye Steak with Fried Rosemary Butter

Whole Roasted Branzino with Preserved Lemon & Pistachio Gremolata

Broccoli Rabe with Calabrian Chili and Fresh Lemon

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu - Italian cake of ladyfingers, custard and coffee

Budino - Dark Chocolate Mouse with Sea Salt Caramel Cream

Eastern Mediterranean Nights

STARTER

All inclusive

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

Assortment of Pickled Wild Cucumbers, Turnips & Za'atar

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Mezze Tasting - Dips Course: Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, Labneh, Mouhamara, Moujadarra. Served with Pita Bread and Crudite

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

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

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

All inclusive

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

Vive la France

STARTER

All inclusive

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

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

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

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

DESSERT

All inclusive

Warm lemon crumb torte, raspberry coulis, chantilly cream

Mousse au Chocolat with sea salt & honey chantilly cream

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Chef Kareem's reviews

4.92

•

8 services

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!