Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre has introduced an elevated High Tea experience at Obaya Lounge, featuring a bespoke stand inspired by the iconic silhouette of the Kingdom Centre tower. Paying homage to one of Riyadh’s most recognizable landmarks, the design brings a new distinctive visual identity to the hotel’s signature High Tea offering.

Inspired by the architectural elegance of the Kingdom Centre tower, the custom-designed stand seamlessly blends storytelling, creativity, and refined hospitality – celebrating a defining icon of the city, while elevating the guest experience with a striking and memorable centrepiece.

Complementing the launch of the new stand, Obaya Lounge will also introduce its seasonal Summer High Tea experience, available daily starting from June until the end of August 2026. Inspired by the fresh flavours and vibrant colours of the summer, the menu features a selection of refined savouries, seasonal desserts, and refreshing tea blends thoughtfully curated for the warmer season.

Savoury bites: Guests can enjoy a refined selection of savoury bites including an open cheese eclair, herb chicken finger pretzel, tomato and mozzarella lollipop, and a cucumber blossom sandwich.
Signature sweets: The experience is further elevated with an assortment of signature sweet creations including milk scones with strawberry jam and cream cheese, mochi with blueberry ice cream, English breakfast Muhallabia with compressed watermelon, Warbat orange and pistachio cream, Cassis Yuzu flower, as well as date-citron and apricot.
Curated tea selection: Complementing the offering is a curated tea selection featuring refreshing flavours such as peach and pear, rush hour berry and apple elderflower.

James Norman has worked in the industry for almost three decades

The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh has appointed James Norman as its new executive chef.

Norman has around 28 years of experience in the international hospitality industry and joins from The St. Regis Doha.

His new employers say he is known for specializing in international cuisines and has experience in training and developing staff for new properties around the world, as well as being an expert in Middle Eastern cuisines thanks to his time in the region.

He said: “I am excited to join The Ritz-Carlton hotel company family and take on the role of executive chef. With the outstanding group of ladies and gentlemen at the hotel, we will be able to further build on its current success and transform it into the preferred culinary destination in Riyadh.

“This is an exciting time to be part of the rising culinary scene in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With a population that is well-travelled and has vast knowledge of various world cuisines, I look forward to being able to share some of my international experience with our guests.”

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