From contemporary culinary expressions to time-honored techniques, each volume offered an optimal vantage point to immerse in the region’s evolving culinary landscape. An island for the most discerning palates, the hotel reveals Arabian Horizons – Curated Culinary Experiences by Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, rooted in heritage, shaped by curiosity, and inspired by the future.
Awe-inspiring and bold, the time-limited experiences offered more than a dinner-each event was a striking multi-sensory experience, available only for 30 seats through three days. The first volume came to life with Chef Karim Abdelrahman, the acknowledged Cairo- based chef and owner of the Avec Karim brand.
The first volume of Arabian Horizons – Curated Culinary Experiences by Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay features Chef Karim Abdelrahman from Egypt-an acclaimed culinary artist and tastemaker from Cairo and the owner of Avec Karim brand. We enjoyed an unforgettable Avec Karim experience, where he opened the door to Egypt, blending the aromas of his homeland with refined flavors.
Renowned for his expertise, cultivated at the esteemed École Ducasse and through his time at a three Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris, Chef Karim has returned to Egypt with a mission: to merge the country’s rich culinary identity with French technique. He is a visionary bridging tradition with the flavours of tomorrow.
Acknowledged as an official partner and ambassador of École Ducasse in Egypt, and with a well-established r0e3putation in his home country, Chef Karim frequently hosts exclusive gatherings for prominent guests and caters world-class events through his distinguished brand, Avec Karim. An explorer and adventurist at heart, he often travels across Egypt-spending days on the road and nights in the desert-driven by a passion to discover new herbs and ingredients in nature that elevate his dishes to new heights.
Remaining deeply rooted in Egypt’s culinary identity- from Nile Valley herbs to Red Sea treasures-prepared with classical French cooking techniques, Chef Karim pays homage to Bahrain through delicate yet deliberate touches encrusted in the traditions of the host country. The experience celebrates the intersection of heritage and innovation, where time-honored Egyptian recipes meet Bahrain’s warm hospitality.
The curated culinary experience took place in the redecorated Royal Majlis of Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, a venue that set the perfect stage for the refined nature of this event. Chef Karim’s storytellers visited each table, telling the story of each unique dish to the guests, creating an interactive experience. An Avec Karim flagship experience Tableside, sourcing exquisite stories and researching and developing these ingredients, transforming them into story elements on plates that tie together to create a menu experience that evokes emotions and awakens the soul through a purposeful dining journey. Service also took centre stage, with some of the dishes and beverages prepared next to guests’ tables-a treat both for the eye and the palate.
Guests were also treated to an immersive, extended seven-course tasting menu designed to create a truly unique and unforgettable culinary experience, named A Meaningful Journey by Chef Karim himself. Each course was thoughtfully crafted, incorporating seasonal ingredients and innovative techniques, complemented by storytelling to enhance the experience that will take guests on a journey and the Chef’s inspiration as he unfolds course after course.
Chef’s menu put Egyptian gastronomy on the map, with French cooking techniques and with hints and notes of Bahraini aromas as the undertone in honor of the hosts. The poetic flow of the menu, beginning with “A Humble Start” and continuing with “Expectations,” put Royal Red Shrimp and Caviar in the spotlight. As the story unfolded, “Purity and Purpose” brought the perfect combination of Zucchini, Lemon Balm and Curry, while “Connection in the Middle of Nowhere” elevated the experience with the aged Bahraini Hamour, Desert Truffle and Buckwheat. The dish brought two ingredients-the Hamour from the sea and the desert truffle from the land-creating a connection between the two ecosystems. “The Trigger” surprised the guests with Pigeon, Artichoke and Dukkah, while the sweet ending, “The Heart’s Oasis,” satisfied the most discerning palates. A feast for the eye and the palate, Chef Karim Abdelrahman’s menu is more than a dinner; it is a way to celebrate Egypt’s rich culinary heritage recreated with sophisticated French techniques.
From the setting to the service, every detail of this experience embodied the spirit of hospitality and culinary innovation, marking a memorable beginning to this ambitious new series.
