Bridge Creek Back Country
Kitchen and Wine Bar

 

 

ERIC TRAGER
Executive Chef
Bridge Creek Backcountry

Kitchen & Wine Bar
Red Lodge, Montana

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Chef Eric Trager of Bridge Creek Backcountry
Kitchen & Wine Bar in Red Lodge developed his appreciation for "mountain cuisine" while working in Colorado. His passion for freshness and simplicity of form has gained the attention of the media and numerous critics, but most importantly, is the reason guests return to Bridge Creek again and again.
 

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Chef Eric followed his interest in cooking and enrolled in the culinary program at Paul Smith's College in upstate New York. After graduation he completed an apprenticeship in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
 

The Rocky Mountains lured him to Beaver Creek, Colorado where he worked for several years. He then moved to Laramie, Wyoming where he met his wife, Dulcie, whom he married a few years later in Red Lodge. After a return to Beaver Creek, he relocated to Napa Valley, California.
 

In 1998 the mountains called again and he and Dulcie moved to the sceneof their wedding, Red Lodge, where he took the lead role of the kitchen at Bridge Creek. They now have two children, Anja & Cedric.
 

All of these experiences have helped shape a well-rounded culinary style, inventive nature and creative spirit. His enthusiasm for quality food is infectious and Chef Eric has inspired more than a few of his staff to pursue careers in the culinary arts. Eric passion for building his menus around locally grown and raised food has earned him much deserved regional and national recognition.