Naama Tamir
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
We arrived at Lighthouse in the early afternoon as prep was in full swing. Lighthouse owner Naama Tamir greeted us, alongside her mom in the dining room picking cilantro and her brother in the kitchen preparing food for us to shoot. Naama is not only a long-time restaurant owner (no small feat in NYC) but also a sustainability powerhouse. She has made Lighthouse an environmentally conscious restaurant by incorporating composting into service, sourcing locally, and being knowledgeable about the service industry's impact on our environment. Composting in New York is not as accessible for businesses as in other cities, but Naama has not let that stop her from making an impact.
Full name, age, where are you from?
Naama Tamir, 44, Rehovot, Israel.
What is your title and where do you work?
Owner & operator of Lighthouse BK, sustainability consultant.
Was food a big part of your upbringing?
Absolutely, my mom is a great cook and always let us all in the kitchen to help and "clean' all the chocolate and whipped cream from the spatula.
What are your earliest memories of dining out?
Eating at an old school "Mediterranean BBQ/steakhouse" with family & family friends and having weekly lunch dates with my mom in Tel Aviv when we would go visit an elderly family member.
If you could give a piece of advice to someone who wanted to pursue your career, what would it be?
Only go into the hospitality business if you love people and truly enjoy their company, it is definitely not the most lucrative and the job can be tough and demanding. The best reward is an amazing community and a ton of fun. Also, get a very good accountant!
What's your favorite dish on the menu?
Our ceviche is one of our signature dishes. It is so delicious and savory that I would consider it comfort food, but it also leaves you feeling nourished and light.
What is your favorite place to go out and eat at and what are you ordering?
Thai diner - pretty much anything on the menu, but there is a special place in my heart for their Laab.
What are your go-to shoes to work in?
White converse are my jam, and in - very intense "on my feet all day long" weeks - dansko
Is there anything new and exciting coming up for you?
Another Round Another Rally. Each month focused on a different topic with the goal of educating oursleves and creating new systems and sustaible solutions for our industry.
I am advocating for Opportunities in Organic Act bill marker with James Beard Foundation to empower organic farmers by expanding access and resources, reducing cost barriers, and providing training and support.
It is incredibly gratifying to harness the power of our community to mobilize, create change and do good.
