Chef hopes to help make The Lighthouse a beacon for gathering and good food in Perkins County
BY BECKY UEHLING
GRANT TRIBUNE
Food is an experience and an art, according to Chef Melissa Ovard-Edwards, 44, new chef at The Lighthouse restaurant in Madrid. Using her education, experience, and love of food, her goal is to turn The Lighthouse into a go-to gathering place for the county and beyond.
From Idaho Falls, Idaho, Ovard-Edwards has always loved food. From creating delicious mud pies in her back yard in her kitchen set, to helping her grandma and mom in the kitchen, her early cooking experiences captured her from a young age. So much so that she went on to earn a culinary degree from Idaho State University.
Ovard-Edwards started her career as a lead chef for care homes, and later moved into resort cooking at Jackson Hole, Wyo.
In 2019, Ovard-Edwards’ husband, Ben, an over-the-road trucker, got a job opportunity in O’Neill, Nebraska, with Drueke Livestock, so the couple made the trek to O’Neill. Also looking for work, Ovard-Edwards discovered an opening at Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse in Paxton, and was hired there as their catering manager where she served for six years. She then took a job at Pronto Pit Stop in Paxton for a bit, until a friend mentioned that The Lighthouse was looking for a new chef.
“It was perfect timing,” Ovard-Edwards said.
Ovard-Edwards went and interviewed for the position, and was impressed with the atmosphere and owners, Dianne and James Harms. “They are wonderful people,” she said about the Harmses. She also was impressed and inspired by the Harms’ vision to turn The Lighthouse into a beacon, drawing in people to gather, enjoy good food and good company.
As chef at The Lighthouse, Ovard-Edwards said her goals are to use her craft of creating delicious food to entice people to come in and keep coming back. She would also like to get the place noticed by the TV show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, an American reality TV series where Chef Guy Fieri explores cuisines and restaurants.
“We will be expanding the menu, trying new and different things for different seasons of the year, and having a variety of specials,” she said. “Everything will also be made from scratch.”
Ovard-Edwards is excited for the new opportunity, and to work with the Harmses.
“I am just excited to be part of this experience and doing what I love,” Ovard-Edwards said. “I have met so many wonderful and interesting people through my cooking, and I look forward to doing that here at The Lighthouse.”
Owner Dianne Harms is also thrilled to have Ovard-Edwards on board. “We are really excited to have Melissa join our team,” Dianne said. “And we look forward to the adventure she is going to take us on.”
Ovard-Edwards joins other part-time staff at The Lighthouse, Christy Klima, Laurén Schmidt and Alyssa Toliver.
The Lighthouse is open 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays. Starting Thursday, Feb. 5, and every Thursday from 5-8 p.m., The Lighthouse will be serving prime rib. Also coming up for Valentine’s Day, The Lighthouse will have a special with the choice of prime rib or chicken. See the ad in this week’s paper for more details, follow The Lighthouse on Facebook, or check out their website at https://www.thelighthouseeats.com/