07/15/2026
Meet Chef Karim ElKady
Chef Karim ElKady brings a diverse culinary background shaped by fine dining restaurants, Michelin-starred kitchens, and luxury hotels.
Early in his career, Karim trained in San Francisco, including at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Lazy Bear, where he refined his approach to technique, seasonality, discipline, and ingredient-driven cooking. Those formative experiences continue to influence his work today.
His career later expanded into luxury hospitality, leading multi-outlet food and beverage programs, large-scale banquet operations, and hotel openings. Most recently, Karim served as Executive Chef at The Municipal Grand in Savannah, Georgia, helping launch the hotel’s culinary program from the ground up.
Karim believes exceptional hospitality is always a team effort. Whether in the kitchen, the dining room, or behind the scenes, every person contributes to creating memorable guest experiences. He is passionate about collaboration, mentorship, and building a culture where people grow together while taking pride in every plate they serve.
Karim’s style of cooking is rooted in coastal Italian, Mediterranean, and Southern influences, with a focus on clean, fresh, ingredient-driven cuisine. Fresh herbs, essential fats, finishing oils, spices, and chiles are used with intention, creating balance, depth, and vibrancy while allowing each ingredient to shine. His philosophy is rooted in restraint—letting exceptional ingredients speak for themselves while thoughtful technique enhances rather than overshadows the food. The result is cuisine that feels bright, refined, approachable, and deeply satisfying.
As Karim begins this new chapter at Santacafé, guests can expect an evolution that honors the restaurant’s legacy while introducing his own culinary perspective through seasonal ingredients, thoughtful technique, and fresh ideas. Over the coming weeks, we’ll share more of Chef Karim’s philosophy, the inspiration behind his menus, and the talented team working alongside him as Santacafé continues its next chapter.
