Reservations: 208.613.4550
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Introducing Chef Brian Rodgers
From five-star resorts to fireside feasts—Chef Brian brings it all home.
SouthFork Lodge is proud to welcome Chef Brian Rodgers as the new executive chef of Timbers Restaurant and the creative force behind our evolving lodge dining experience. With a career that spans the U.S. Navy, luxury hotels, universities, and remote operations across land and sea, Chef Brian brings both discipline and artistry to the kitchen—merging refined technique with the rugged soul of Idaho’s wilderness.
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Chef Brian’s journey began in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army, where he mastered precision, large-scale food production, and logistics under high-pressure conditions. His training continued through apprenticeships at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, Albuquerque Hilton, Vieux Carré, and Western Lights Bistro, learning under culinary masters like Chefs Michael Hollingsworth, Eddy Adams, and Andre Ditty. Those formative years instilled in him a deep respect for both craft and consistency—qualities he now brings to every plate at SouthFork.
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From banquet halls at The Gin Mill in Albuquerque to executive leadership at Sheraton Hotels, Garden Terrace Hotel, and Global Santa Fe’s offshore drilling operations, Chef Brian has cooked everywhere from luxury resorts to deep-sea rigs. He’s opened and led restaurants, consulted for independent operators, and earned degrees in Culinary Arts and Business Administration—all while staying true to one mission: creating food that brings people together.
Now, at SouthFork Lodge, he’s channeling that experience into something both elevated and grounded—where every dish tells a story, every flavor honors the forest, and every meal feels like coming home.
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.
Timber Hours of Operations (FALL Season)
Weekends :Breakfast 8am - 10:30am
Wednesday - Sunday: Lunch 11:30am - 2:30pm
Thursday - Saturdays Dinner 6pm - 9:00pm
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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 Brian 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 is Brian 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 Brian Rodgers. 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 Brian—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