A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHEF

Hello, I am Phillip Toney, Chef - Owner - Operator of The Lighthouse Cuisine & Kitchen. Welcome to our website, thank you for stopping by. I would like to share a few things about myself; my background; my experience; my vision.

I started in the restaurant business in 1977 as a dishwasher. I immediately enjoyed the teamwork camaraderie, and challenge. I quickly moved up to other positions and eventually cooking. This seemed to come natural to me. And over the years continued to learn more and more about several types of cooking, everything from fine dining to Cajun, Hispanic, Italian, smoked meats, American cuisine, steaks and seafood. During this period, cooking was just a job, my career.

Personally, I started eating clean and healthy in 1993, I also started exercising and stopped smoking after 20 years of smoking (yes I started at 10) to really start taking care of myself. Over the next 15 years I put on 65#(from 160-225) yet, only increased my waist size by 2”(32-34) with a body fat % of less than 10%. I attributed most of this to my eating and nutrition. I always felt great and was almost never sick(a few colds or flu bugs) and never had to go to a doctor for any ailments. And I had all the energy in the world.

In 2006 I briefly left the food business and became a Realtor. Well, we all know what happened in 2006-10. Things got rough and I was “pulled” back into food again in 2010, a little bit at a time. First, cooking meals for groups at church, then helping a friend with his catering business. The more I got involved with food again, the more i realized, this is what I was supposed to be doing. It is now my joy, my love, my passion, my life, and I want to share this with others.

So, when in 2013 I had the opportunity to open a smoothie and juice bar inside of 24hour fitness, I jumped at the chance. Bringing good, clean and healthy drinks to people that were working on themselves, I wanted to be a part of that. I started researching juicing, and finding the benefits to that focused juicing for my clients. I began gaining their confidence and through that I could triple my revenue in less than a year.

During this time is when I met my business partner, Ji Chen. She was preparing the EFITMEAL boxes and I was selling them at the gym. Shortly thereafter she needed to expand her operation and prep space. We partnered together to open The Lighthouse, providing clean, healthy, nutritious, prepared meals, smoothies and fresh raw juices.

I believe that healthy eating should not be bland or taste bad. I say, “If it doesn’t taste good, no matter how healthy, it’s worthless if you don’t eat it.” Therefore, flavors and quality are primary components in all of our meals.

I hope you stop in soon to try a/many of our meal(s). I am very confident that you will enjoy them.

I look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you.

- Phillip Toney