MK BUTLER
About MK The Butler - Mohammed Kassem
Founder, Chairman & CEO of The American Butler School
Owner of The Butler House at Cherry Creek Inn – New York, USA
From the heart of Egypt to the world stage of luxury hospitality, MK Butler’s journey is a story of passion, perseverance, and purpose.
Born and raised in Egypt, MK discovered his love for service at a young age. After graduating from hospitality school, he began his career training and working in several of Egypt’s top five-star hotels — including Hilton, Mövenpick, Steigenberger, and Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh — where he learned the art of true hospitality from the ground up.
His professional turning point came at the Four Seasons, where MK was first introduced to the world of butler service— a role almost unheard of in Egypt at the time. Captivated by the precision, grace, and personal connection behind the butler’s craft, he made it his mission to master it.
This mission led him to Kempinski Hotels, and soon after to Fairmont Nile City, where he became one of the first five professionally trained butlers in Egypt — and the only one who applied purely out of passion. Under the mentorship of Clarence McLeod, Fairmont’s Global Director of Fairmont Gold, MK gained the discipline, elegance, and detail that would define his career forever.
His reputation quickly crossed borders. W Doha — one of the Middle East’s most celebrated hotels — invited MK to join as the first butler in W Hotels worldwide. Within months, he became Head Butler, serving royalty, celebrities, and world leaders. His service excellence was recognized globally:
- Featured in GQ London Magazine by Dylan Jones, who described his work as possibly “the best butler service in the world.”
- Highlighted in Time Out Magazine for his extraordinary service to celebrity guests.
Despite offers from royal families and high-profile estates around the world, MK stayed true to his philosophy — service is not about status; it’s about heart.
Life then led him to a new chapter in Georgia (the country), where he founded the first hospitality school in Georgia’s history, introducing the art of butler service and modern hospitality management to a new generation. His work expanded into travel and cultural exchange, connecting Georgia to destinations worldwide, and he proudly became a citizen of Georgia.
But destiny had one more stage waiting.
Through a series of personal connections and opportunities, MK eventually moved to the United States, where he continued his career in five-star hospitality — including helping to open The Tennessean Hotel in Knoxville, Tennessee, and serving as Head Butler at The Mansion on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, New York — the city’s only hotel offering full butler service.
It was there that MK’s vision came to life: to create a place dedicated to teaching the world the true essence of service.
He founded The American Butler School, alongside his own property, The Butler House at Cherry Creek Inn, in Cherry Creek, New York — a serene estate where tradition meets modern hospitality education.
Today, MK Butler trains and inspires butlers, estate managers, and hospitality professionals from around the world — offering private training, luxury service consulting, and courses for both individuals and institutions.
His philosophy is simple but timeless:
“Service is not a job — it’s a lifestyle, a language, and an art form that speaks directly to the heart.”
Through his work, MK continues to elevate the standards of service worldwide — proving that passion, discipline, and authenticity can turn a dream from Egypt into a legacy that inspires the world.
Becoming a butler
Being a butler gave me not only a purpose but also the opportunity to explore another passion — storytelling. Through my work, I was able to travel, capture moments with my camera, and share the world of hospitality through my own lens.
These experiences inspired me to establish The American Butler’s School, where I now teach others the art, etiquette, and heart of true service — helping them open doors to new opportunities, just as this profession once opened doors for me.
To me, being a butler is not just a job — it’s a philosophy of life.
It’s “Pleasure Being a Butler, Pleasure Having One.”
A belief that service, when done with passion and respect, brings joy not only to the guest — but to the one who serves.
Story began
My story began in Egypt, where my passion for hospitality was born. After finishing high school, I followed my heart into hospitality school and began my journey training in several five-star hotels such as Hilton, Mövenpick, Steigenberger, and Hyatt Regency. It was at the Four Seasons, however, that I truly discovered the world of refined service and was first introduced to the art of butlership—a concept new to Egypt at the time, yet one that instantly captivated me. Determined to pursue this path, I joined the Kempinski Hotel, where I officially began my butler career and embraced the philosophy of personal, discreet, and heartfelt service. Later, I continued my journey with the Fairmont, where I received world-class training that elevated my professional standards and understanding of luxury service.
The Story of a butler - TIME OUT GQ
The story of MK Butler begins with a simple yet powerful belief: service is not a job—it is a way of life.
From the earliest days of discovering Butler Service, MK found more than a profession. He found a passion rooted in respect, discipline, elegance, and the art of anticipating needs before they are spoken. What started as curiosity became a lifelong commitment to excellence, refinement, and meaningful human connection.
Butler Service, to MK, is the perfect balance between experience and emotion—where precision meets heart, and professionalism meets genuine care.
Over the years, MK has served in hotels around the globe, within luxury private residences, and across diverse cultures and lifestyles. Each destination added depth to his understanding of people, privacy, expectations, and the unseen details that define true luxury. Travel was not just movement—it was education, growth, and perspective.
At the core of MK’s philosophy are timeless values:
- Attention to detail
- Loyalty and discretion
- Understanding before action
- Consistency in excellence
- Exceeding expectations, always
Butler Service is not about doing more—it is about doing what matters, flawlessly.
Pleasure Being a Butler. Pleasure Having One.
For MK, the true meaning of Butler Service lies in mutual fulfillment.
There is pleasure in being a Butler—in serving with pride, purpose, and mastery.
And there is pleasure in having one—knowing that your lifestyle, comfort, and peace of mind are entrusted to someone who truly understands you.
This philosophy extends beyond hotels and homes. It is about lifestyle, trust, presence, and elevating everyday moments into exceptional experiences.
More stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on Butler Service, luxury living, and the journey behind MK Butler will be shared here on the website—and much more on our YouTube channel.
Because service, when done with passion, becomes unforgettable.
