LAKEPORT, Calif. – O'Meara Bros. Brewing Co. in Lakeport is saying a fond farewell and big thank you to retiring chef Roy Iversen, who has been with them since 2014, even before the popular restaurant and brewery opened.

The brothers, Alex and Tim O'Meara, said that Iversen has been invaluable to them and has become like family.

Opening a restaurant is no small task, and Iversen rose to the occasion again and again, tackling every challenge and keeping each dish consistent and delicious during the most challenging time for any restaurant.

The whole crew at O'Meara Bros. Brewing Co. wishes Iversen the best in retirement and are sorry to see him go.

Taking over for Iversen is Chef Jerry Phillips, a veteran chef who has more than 30 years’ experience and is bringing new and exciting dishes to O'Meara Bros.

Phillips has run many successful (and sometimes famous) kitchens throughout his career, including overseeing food service for the Chicago Cubs at their spring training facility and working as a personal chef for celebrities in Hollywood.

The O’Mearas are thrilled to have him and say customers are already praising his unique specials, which will rotate weekly from now on, offering new and unique choices for O'Meara Bros. customers.

Over the coming weeks they’ll introduce lemon-ginger crusted salmon, grilled pork loin with bacon-onion jam, country fried Cornish game hen and many more.

O'Meara Bros. released a new menu in early spring, and the O’Mearas said having Chef Phillips heading up the kitchen is the cherry on top.