Celebrated Chefs Roland and Mereday Reunite for One-Night-Only Pop-Up Dinner at Artis—Naples

Two of Southwest Florida’s most acclaimed culinary figures—Chef Brian Roland and Chef Charles Mereday—will reunite for a one-night-only pop-up dinner at Artis—Naples on Tuesday, August 12, at 6 p.m. The exclusive five-course event will be held in the venue’s Ubben Room, with tickets priced at $225 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the David Lawrence Center for Behavioral Health.

The dinner, hosted by Roland’s company, Crave Culinaire, marks a heartfelt reunion for the chefs, who have collaborated on several occasions in the past and maintained a close friendship throughout the years. Their latest collaboration is both a celebration of culinary excellence and a charitable effort to support mental health services in the region.

“This dinner came about because Brian and I stayed in touch throughout his recovery from his 2021 accident,” said Mereday. “Now that he’s returned to the community with his trademark spirit and creativity, it felt like the perfect moment to cook together again—this time for a great cause.”

Roland echoed the sentiment: “We’re thrilled to welcome Chef Charles Mereday back to Naples for a celebration of food, friendship, and giving back.”

The evening will feature alternating courses from each chef, including Mereday’s signature potato-scaled snapper with bouillabaisse sauce and his renowned duck leg gumbo, while Roland will contribute a signature salad and a meat course crafted exclusively for the event. The evening will conclude with a dessert from each chef, including Mereday’s famed Salzburger Nockerl. Curated wine pairings will accompany each course.

The collaboration marks the third public culinary event between the two chefs. In 2014, they co-hosted a luxury dinner at Mereday’s Fine Dining to promote their culinary cruises with Regent Cruises. In 2015, they participated in a live “food fight” at Taste of Collier, showcasing their creativity and chemistry before an enthusiastic crowd.

About Chef Charles Mereday

Chef Charles Mereday is a classically trained chef with over three decades of international culinary experience. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University and France’s esteemed Maison Troisgros, Mereday has led award-winning kitchens across the U.S. and Caribbean, including Zanzibar Blue in Philadelphia and The Battle House Hotel in Alabama. His restaurants in Naples—Mereday’s Fine Dining, Alto Live Jazz Kitchen, and Mereday’s Brasserie—received high praise from outlets such as Florida Trend and Condé Nast Traveler for elevating the region’s dining scene.

Now based in Evansville, Indiana, where he operates Cosmos Bistro, Mereday is actively exploring opportunities for a return to Southwest Florida’s restaurant landscape.

About Chef Brian Roland

Brian Roland is the founder of Crave Culinaire, a culinary and events brand known for high-end catering and experiential dining. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Roland refined his skills under top chefs including Daniel Boulud and led kitchens at acclaimed Southwest Florida restaurants such as Cru, Chops City Grill, and M Waterfront Grille.

Since launching Crave in 2013, Roland has become a household name in the region’s hospitality industry. After a serious accident in 2021, he underwent a remarkable recovery and returned to the culinary scene with renewed purpose and passion, using his journey as a platform to inspire and give back.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, August 12

• Time: 6:00 p.m.

• Location: Ubben Room at Artis—Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples, Fla.

• Tickets: $225 per person (plus tax and gratuity)

• Reservations: CraveCulinaire.com/Events

A portion of proceeds will benefit the David Lawrence Center, which provides critical mental health and addiction recovery services to adults and children in the community.

Collaborator Credits: Beth Preddy