About Us
Our heritage informs how we host: with generosity, warmth, and belief that the most meaningful experiences are often the simplest ones. Our food is shaped by tradition rather than trend, guided by seasons, simplicity, and the quiet discipline of doing things well. Influenced by Mediterranean ways of cooking and gathering, we value restraint over excess and intention over spectacle. At the heart of our work is humanity.
Tanja Mannheim
A former intellectual property attorney turned entrepreneur, Tanja brings rigor, intuition, and long-term thinking to Lemons and Olives.
To her, Lemons and Olives is not just a catering company, but an evolving idea rooted in care for people and community.
Tanja leads business development and sales, shaping partnerships and guiding growth. Drawn to process and structure, she also builds systems that allow creativity and hospitality to thrive.
Her approach is deeply informed by family history. Tanja’s grandfather founded his own dairy business in 1930s Yugoslavia at just eighteen years old, later creating a mountain spring wellness retreat long before wellness was a trend. Those early lessons in craft, independence, and imagination continue to shape how she builds today.
Marko Mannheim
Marko anchors Lemons and Olives in genuine hospitality.
A natural-born host, he has an intuitive understanding of people and an ability to make guests feel immediately at ease. Calm, attentive, and highly perceptive, he responds quickly and thoughtfully — solving problems in real time and ensuring that every detail feels considered rather than forced.
His relationship with food began early at local farmers’ markets in former Yugoslavia alongside his mother, and deepened through schooling in Switzerland, extensive travel, and professional experience with leading chefs in Washington, D.C. and New York. After years on the operations side of hospitality — including serving as Food & Beverage Director at the Bowery Hotel — Marko chose to build something more personal, centered on food, people, and gathering.
At Lemons and Olives, he brings ease, adaptability, and steady presence to every experience. A devoted Red Star fan, he maintains one non-negotiable: no meetings on Champions League or Europa League match days.
