9 Peaks in Mackay, Idaho: Meet the Chef
Meet the Chef: 9 Peaks Restaurant & Lounge
We sat down with executive chef and owner Brandon Scott of 9 Peaks Restaurant & Lounge in Mackay, Idaho. In the small mountain town of Mackay, 9 Peaks offers a relaxed dining experience that blends hearty American fare with local charm. The menu features a mix of comfort-driven dishes, from steaks and burgers to classic entrees, all served in a welcoming setting that reflects the surrounding rugged landscape.
9 Peaks in Mackay, Idaho: Meet the Chef
What draws guests back is the balance of satisfying, well-prepared food and a laid-back lounge atmosphere—making it a dependable spot in Mackay for both casual meals and unwinding after a day outdoors.
Tell us about what your morning routine looks like, and how you like to end your day?
I start my day by giving our pack of dogs their morning treats. Before I go to the restaurant, I give our birds fresh water and food for the day. My wife turns on the cook top before I get to the restaurant, I will top off the ice dispensers prior to cooking bacon. Once some bacon is cooked then we prepare the fresh vegetables that will be needed for the day. When we close is when a majority of the food prep begins. After the doors are locked I will turn on a movie and have a couple snacks.
Do you have a favorite chef that you look up to and what advice would you give to aspiring chefs?
Gordon Ramsay and the best fry-cook around, Spongebob. Some advice I would give to aspiring chefs is to keep trying new things, ideas are the catalyst of creation. Another piece of advice that I would offer is to never stop learning and always strive to do better.
9 Peaks in Mackay, Idaho: Meet the Chef
Do you have any awards or achievements you’d like to mention?
Our team successfully cooked over 300 pounds of prime rib at once for our local Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet.
9 Peaks in Mackay, Idaho: Meet the Chef
What do you typically cook at home?
Home is where we try new dishes for the restaurant.
What’s a food trend that you’re loving right now and why?
Cooking using the freshest food possible and being open to trying new food.
9 Peaks in Mackay, Idaho: Meet the Chef
What drink do you enjoy most?
An ice-cold sparkling water after a long day.
Have you ever cooked for a celebrity? Do you have a story to tell?
Unfortunately, there are not many celebrities who pass through here.
What’s the strangest food combination you’ve ever tried? And, did you like it?
Buttermilk pancake with sour cream and brown sugar, and it was delicious! It mimics a cinnamon roll so well.
Why should readers visit 9 Peaks?
We offer fresh, never frozen, food at the highest quality possible. We have customers who travel hundreds of miles just to have a burger, because they can’t find something similar elsewhere.