Reservations: 208.613.4550
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Introducing Chef Oscar Montoya
Meet the Chef - A New Chapter at SouthFork Lodge
SouthFork Lodge is proud to welcome Chef Oscar Montoya to the heart of our kitchen and the soul of our guest experience. With over three decades of culinary mastery and a deep-rooted passion for hospitality, Chef Oscar brings a rare blend of global flavor, artistic flair, and small-town warmth to our tables—elevating what it means to dine in the wilderness.
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Oscar’s journey has taken him from the elite kitchens of 5-star, 5-diamond hotels to the wild and majestic setting of Mammoth in Yellowstone. Now, he's bringing that spirit to the Boise National Forest—where local ingredients meet world-class experience, and every dish is made with intention, story, and soul.
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With degrees in both Culinary Arts and Business Administration, Chef Oscar has opened and led multiple restaurants, catering companies, and international cuisine ventures throughout the U.S. From crafting fine dining experiences to orchestrating events for thousands, his mission has always remained the same: create unforgettable meals that bring people together.
SouthFork Dining Options
Early mornings start here—with fresh coffee, homemade pastries, and mountain views to go.
Seasonal, soulful lodge dining that blends rustic classics with rotating chef-inspired favorites.
Laid-back patio dining with milkshakes, casual bites, and riverfront relaxation from sunrise to stars.
A quiet hideaway honoring forest traditions—perfect for unwinding, gathering, and memory-making.
Gather for nightly s’mores, chef’s tastings, or spontaneous stories under the stars.
A Lodge. A Table. A Vision.
At SouthFork Lodge, food is more than fuel—it’s connection. It’s memory-making. It’s the feeling of finishing a perfect hike and sitting down with friends, family, and strangers who feel like both. Chef Oscar shares this vision and is helping bring it to life with a rotating, seasonal menu that honors the land, the time of year, and the guests who gather.
Whether it’s trout caught in a nearby river, beef smoked over lodgepole pine, or a pie made from huckleberries foraged just up the trail, every dish served is rooted in this place—and curated by a chef who brings the world to the table.
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What to Expect
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A Seasonal Menu that evolves with the forest, featuring local ingredients and new takes on mountain classics.
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Chef-Inspired Specials that change weekly—check the chalkboard or just ask what Oscar’s excited about today.
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Family-Style Dinners offered Thursday through Saturday nights, featuring long-table meals designed to be shared, savored, and remembered.
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Occasional Chef’s Table Evenings and open-fire tastings under the stars
Join us in welcoming Chef Oscar Montoya. Whether you're here for the weekend or staying a while, you're not just eating at SouthFork—you’re becoming part of a story told through every plate, every flavor, every fire-lit meal.
Contact Us for a Personal Experience
From intimate Chef’s Table dinners to full-scale custom meals for special events, we specialize in creating experiences that go beyond the menu. Join us fireside for chef-led pairings, cooking classes under the stars, or curated meals designed just for your group. Whether you’re craving a rustic campfire feast, a multi-course tasting, or something entirely your own, we’ll make it happen. Tell us what you're in the mood for—and we'll take it from there.
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Reach out to us before your arrival, and our team—alongside Chef Oscar—can work with you to build a custom menu and craft a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Whether it’s a private dinner, a group celebration, or a multi-day retreat, we’ll take care of the details so you can simply enjoy. Send us a message, share your ideas, and let us create something extraordinary together.
Stay with us at the SouthFork Lodge
Extend your experience and stay awhile. Nestled in the heart of the Boise National Forest, SouthFork Lodge offers a range of unique accommodations—sleep beside the river at the Payette Flats, retreat to a cozy cabin on the ridge, or settle into the serene meadows with a wall tent or primitive campsite under the stars. Wherever you choose to rest, the quiet charm of our wilderness property invites you to slow down, breathe deep, and reconnect with what matters most.
Open Year-Round – Because nature never closes | No Matter the Season, the Wild Awaits