Elhoucine Baha

Chef Elhoucine Baha joined the Columbia Dining team in February 2022. He is responsible for the dining and catering operations for the culinary teams in Henry R. Kravis and David Geffen Halls, including the Robert F. Smith Dining Hall, the Cafe, and catered events. Chef Baha is grateful for the opportunity to join a new operation with the culinary team from the very beginning of their time in Manhattanville.

He brings over 30 years of industry experience having worked in the hotel business, including restaurants, private dining, and special event catering. Most recently he served at the Millennium Hotel Broadway and the Mandarín Oriental Hotel.

Chef Baha attended hotel business school in his native country of Morocco. After graduation, he traveled and worked through Europe before coming to the United States in 1998. His favorite Moroccan dish is chicken tagine with preserved lemon. His favorite Italian dish is truffle risotto. Hopefully diners at the Business School will get to sample both!

Chef Baha loves to cook and cares deeply about his guests' experience -- from presentation and service to the dish itself -- so that they are happy, full, and always come back.