Guests frequently tell us how grateful they are for our outstanding hospitality team. We are pleased to announce that each of our shining stars are back this summer, plus we welcome one new teammate. The lodge is in good hands with Chef Chris Lee leading our hospitality team: Chef Jenn Laube, Drew Scott, Darya Mook and now Taylor Routson.

Chef Chris Lee is the foundation of our land crew as lodge manager, Executive Chef, and team leader. Chef Chris is an amazing talent in the kitchen and a highly-valued member of the NRAL family. Chef Chris works his heart out while leading his team that puts forth their best effort for great results. Nearly every client review contains comments in favor of our delicious dining. Since departing the lodge last season, Chef Chris managed a pheasant hunting lodge in South Dakota, spent time with his family, and worked on his organic farm.

Chef Jenn Laube is known best for bringing the sweets to the table, but she is also a highly regarded member in the kitchen alongside Chef Chris for the main event. Chef Jenn is the core of our dessert program, creating innovative and brilliantly designed treats for our guests. Having Chef Jenn on our team is just one more way to ensure our guests are in their happy place! Jenn has worked on a couple of new dessert ideas during the off season and is excited to bring them to guests this summer.

Drew Scott performs systems and operations administration. He will be facilitating arrivals and departures for guests this season. Drew is a bright young man who is graduating from college this spring. He is also a Sergeant in the Air National Guard where he is an avionics technician maintaining and repairing the technology in the cockpits of F-16s. Drew is a helpful member of our team.

Darya Mook is a smiling bundle of service. Her pleasant demeanor and eagerness to help makes Darya favored by our lodge guests. She is close to earning an associates degree in accounting. We are very happy to have Darya back with us this summer. Food service, camp cleanliness, housekeeping, and guest services fall within Darya’s wheelhouse at the lodge.

The new addition to our hospitality team is Taylor Routson. Taylor will move into the camp hand role this summer, helping and assisting with serving, keeping things neat and orderly and providing guest services. Taylor, who is graduating from high school this spring, grew up on the Columbia River in Oregon. He enjoys taking people fishing from kayaks on the Klickitat River for salmon and steelhead. He also enjoys helping others fill their game tags in Oregon. Taylor and his friends share their adventures on their official  “Northwest Outdoors” instagram page and website.