Chef Brian is the creative drive behind Crave’s unique approach. He brings an element of surprise, a big warm personality and an understanding and appreciation for building the perfect dining experience. Brian will be with you throughout the creative process and ensure you and your guests’ palates and senses are challenged.
Recently the celebrated Executive Chef of M Waterfront Grille in Naples, Chef Brian owns two new innovative businesses: first, he is president of Florida Food Consultants, a networking concept designed to improve the restaurant industry, and, his second endeavor, Crave Culinaire by Chef Brian Roland, introduces an ultramodern take on catering. Crave Culinaire’s elegant services span from full event planning, to catering events, to chic, artistic private meals prepared for the most prominent palates.

Chef Brian, born and raised in Princeton, NJ, graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He is a Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC) through the American Culinary Federaton (ACF) and a member of the Chaine des Rotisseurs. He worked for several well known French chefs, including Daniel Boulud at Restaurant Daniel & Café Boulud, and Patrick Verre at the TPC @ Jasna Polana. He has worked as Executive Chef in top kitchens locally, including Chops City Grill and Cru Lush Wines and Pure Food. Brian consults and collaborates with other chefs and industry professionals, often organizing events and competitions to heighten each professional’s creativity and self-improvement. He has had the opportunity to cook for some well known celebrities including Judge Judy, Brian Boitano, Franc D’Ambrosio, Randy Wayne White, Cliff Williams of AC/DC, Marylin Manson, David “Big Pappi” Ortiz, Joe Bastianich, Tim Love and Paula Deen

As a celebrity, Brian has appeared on many local television segments to cook for viewers on Fox 4 and WINK News. His local presence is consistent….Emcee and Auctioneer for several events including the CAN Bachelor Auction, Tails and Tiaras Pet Gala for the Humaine Society, Derby Dash for the Naples Junior Women’s Club and the 6th, 7th & 8th Annual Boots and Boogie Bash as co-emcee with Krista Fogelsong of ABC. Brian made the cover of Naples Illustrated September 2013 as a Local Hero in the Supermen Issue. He was also awarded 40 Under 40 in Gulfshore Life Business and “Best Chef on the Move” in 2013, Best Chef for Charity in 2014 and Young Incandescent Entrepreneurs in 2015 by Florida Weekly. Crave Culinaire was voted Best Caterer in Lee and collier counties in 2014 and 2015 by Gulfshore Life magazine. He is a regular feature in Naples society magazines and newspapers such as Life in Naples, Naples Illustrated, Entrée Magazine, Fifth Avenue Magazine, Plate Magazine, Grandeur Magazine, Naples Daily News, The News Press, Florida Weekly, Flavor on the Menu, and was proud to be voted Gulfshore Life’s 2011 Hottest Eligible Bachelor.

Chef Brian Roland considers himself an artist whose medium is food. More than a former Executive Chef at one of Naples most prestigious restaurants, he is a self-made man with innovative businesses of his own. He is a friend, a brother, a loving son, and a truly giving soul. His philanthropic contributions have touched thousands, as he has raised money in community outreach events to assist local charities such as Literacy for Collier, CAN, Red Cross, Hope for Haiti, Foster Care Council, Children’s Hospital, Impact Initiative, Friends of Foster Children, PACE, Children’s Museum of Naples (C’MON ), St Matthew’s House, NCEF, Holocaust Museum, Naples Junior Womens Club, Make a Wish Southern Florida, Humaine Society, Neighborhood Health Clinic, among many others. Brian also became a founding member of the Friends of the Foundation team committee in early 2013 to support NCEF.

Chef Brian enjoys golf, traveling with family, motorcycle riding, singing, dancing, and naturally—cooking.

Nicole has a sense of style and organization, which pairs well with her creativity and attention to detail. Her dedication to making each event something special and unique, makes Nicole the perfect addition to Crave Culinaire’s team.

Born in California, raised north of Seattle, and settled in Florida. Nicole graduated from The University of Central Florida, majoring in Event Management with a minor in Hospitality Management.

Nicole brings a plethora of experience from her time spent at several Starwood resorts including Sheraton Vistana Villages, Le Meridian Cambridge, W Hotel in Boston and the Sheraton Ft Lauderdale. She held the position as the Private Dining Director for Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar prior to becoming the Director of Events and Marketing for the Naples Humane Society and most recently the Director of Events and Marketing for Gulfshore Life Magazine.

As the Director of Operations for Crave Culinaire, Nicole has taken the reigns with all event details, marketing and internal operations. As the closest member of the team to him, Nicole married Chef Brian in September 2016, furthering their commitment and love of this business and their future together.

Charles comes to Zest at Valencia Bonita from Lexington, Kentucky where he served as the Senior Director over Premium Food Services for the University of Kentucky for four years. His strong background in building high performing, service-oriented organizations within the hospitality industry was instrumental in successfully leading a multi-million-dollar catering and athletic food service operation at the University of Kentucky.

Prior to his Senior Director role at UK, Charles lead teams in the multi-faceted areas of hospitality management with companies including the PGA Tour, InterContinental Hotels, ClubCorp and Aramark. During the nine plus years of service with ClubCorp, a private dining club, he worked very closely with Membership and the Board of Governors. He developed a long-term vision for his club, membership growth strategies and oversaw two large renovation projects.

Charles has a passion for hospitality. He is sincere, caring and action oriented with the goal of always providing the highest quality customer experience.

Born into an Italian/American family on Long Island, Debra learned quickly that life revolves around food. Debra graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, graduating first in her class, receiving the Escoffier Award of Merit as well as the Chaine de Rotisseurs Brillat Savarin Medal. Debra earned her Bachelors Degree from the University of South Florida and holds a certificate in Viticulture and Vinification from the American Sommelier Association with a specialization in Italian wines.

Debra spent the years after graduating honing her skills in NYC restaurants and learning the ins and outs of the restaurant business. In 2005, Debra opened Beast restaurant in Brooklyn, NY, where she earned accolades from from the N.Y. Times, New York Magazine, and Wine Spectator. She also appeared on the Food Network Show, Chopped. After closing Beast in 2014, she went on to work for several prestigious Manhattan catering companies, going on to become chef for Brooklyn Winery’s BKW restaurant in 2016. Having family in Florida, the next step was relocating back to the sunshine state to be closer to them. In her free time, Debra can be found playing ice hockey and showering with love any and every dog that crosses her path.

Chase Toussaint is an accomplished industry executive with over 25 years of experience delivering world class guest experiences and helping organizations grow market share exponentially.

Chase has earned a master of hospitality management certification from prestigious Cornell University. As a strategist and accessible leader, he is known for his creative approach to leadership development and innovative forward thinking.

His experience crosses multiple industries such as resort and hotel management, large metropolitan Universities, healthcare, high volume and fine experiential catering. Chase’s teams have been honored to serve the Olympics, President Barack Obama, head of industries such as Steve Wazniak and Hollywood elites such as Tom Cruise.

When Chase is not collaborating with his clients and teams, he enjoys long sunny days sailing on the Gulf of Mexico with his wife Christine and son Jacob.

Chase’s philosophy is to show genuine care for people and their development, place the client in the center of all we do and success reveals itself.