Not only has Chef Brian Roland physically and emotionally returned to public life in Southwest Florida after his life-altering tragedy three years ago, his spiritual presence is stronger than ever. A crushing near-fatal fall has strengthened his faith in a higher power.

“God gave me this second chance. He gave me this for a reason,” said Roland, who is still exploring what that reason may be.

“I think my strength [is] in Him and in believing now that God truly has blessed me and I have a lot more to give. When I say that now, it triggers a lot in me now, in my gratefulness and in my experiences that I’ve endured. I want to make good from all that.”

Roland, 45, is not yet ready to reveal exactly what that revival looks like, but he believes he could be a powerful speaker with a platform to help others who have experienced traumatic brain injuries, bladder surgeries, foot damage or major physical trauma.

‘The accident’

On the night of Dec. 4, 2021, Crave Culinaire by Chef Brian Roland catered the grand opening party at Ferrari of Naples. Roland and his team were high-fiving each other immediately after the successful event on the second floor of the luxury sports car dealership in North Naples. Moments later, the unthinkable happened at the car lift being used to transport the caterer’s food service equipment from one floor to the other.

“Once we got clearance from them that it was safe to move our stuff from the upstairs back downstairs at the end of the event, my team and I started to load and bring trips of items down,” Roland said. “On the last load, I had put everything in and they pressed the button on the outside for the door to come down and started the elevator — the lift — and I don’t remember from that point forward any detail other than waking up in the hospital.”

Roland and his family refer to that fateful night as “the fall” or “the accident.” He sustained severe injuries, including brain trauma, broken bones and organ damage, when he plunged to the ground through a 22-inch gap between the end of the car lift and the wall.

“I happened to fall through that gap and I hit my head on the motor that powers the lift and it bounced me underneath the platform, and the lift continued to come down and a couple thousand pounds crushed me,” Roland said.

He retains fleeting flashbacks from being in the ambulance during the trip to NCH hospital before being taken by MedFlight to Lee Memorial, but does not recall details other than paramedics asking him if he knew his name and age.

Court records and depositions show a series of alleged missteps and mistakes by numerous defendants led to the accident, but Roland will not share details about the civil litigation outcome or settlement.

“Unfortunately, by law, I’m not really allowed to,” he said. “Just that we were able to come to an agreement. It wasn’t what either side wanted, but it’s over. What’s most important is that now I can focus on what the new normal is for me — you know, navigating through all the medical issues that I’m going to have short-term and long-term now, being the best possible father I can be for Remi and husband I can be for Nicole.”

The Rolands are relieved that the legal fight is finally over.

“The three-year, back-and-forth battle with them and insurance was grueling emotionally and physically,” Roland said. “What I can say is I’m just happy that I can find my life again after three and a half years and try to make the best of it now.”

Public return

In addition to physical issues, Roland suffered emotional trauma and depression during the first two years. Although it was emotionally overwhelming at first to recently reboot his public life, attend local events again and increase participation with his catering team, the popular local chef is a people person who leads with a smile, so stepping out helps him heal and provides proof that he is healing.

After taking baby steps to reintroduce himself to public life, Roland was back in his element April 5 when he participated in a fundraising event for the Alliance for the Arts. It marked his return to hands-on food preparation in public.

“It was unbelievable. The event was so invigorating. It just filled my heart and filled my soul with everything that I feel like I’ve been missing for three-plus years now. I felt alive again,” Roland said. “Even though, after the fact, my body certainly hurt; my foot was throbbing for a couple of days. It was worth every bit of it. I needed that.”

Roland admits that it wasn’t easy getting back in the saddle, but he’s thrilled to finally be back.

“I was a hermit crab for three years because I wasn’t ready yet emotionally,” he said. “I had a lot of insecurities from the aftermath effects of the accident and just reasons that I just didn’t feel comfortable yet coming out and seeing people as much again, especially in public. I started seeing friends again, but just not in public. So, that feeling was just amazing.”

The public reception has been tremendous. Roland receives physical and emotional hugs from people who stop him to rejoice that he is alive, share how great it is to see him and tell him that they prayed for him.

“This is the message that I get every day, everywhere I go,” he said. “It just makes me feel loved and warm inside. It’s just such a great, great feeling and, again, makes me feel super blessed that I’m still on this earth.”

Faith in future

Roland feels he has a lot more to give the world now because the accident affected his religious faith.

“I think it’s strengthened it a lot,” he said. “I was not a church-goer. I did not really think about religion. I felt blessed, but when you’re not super connected to God and you’re excited for the opportunities that are presented to you, the successes that you’ve had, you’re a grateful person and you feel blessed.”

Although Roland has always felt grateful for what he has and still does, the accident took that to a new level. He and his wife faithfully attend church weekly now.

“So I think now when it comes to what has happened to me, I’ve been able to witness God’s hands and strength and His ability to really save me and give me a second chance at life,” he said. “Now, the things that I’m grateful for have so much different meaning.”

Now, Roland feels he’s on a journey to help others.

“That’s where I think my true calling is going to be now,” he said. “I have always done that through food and I absolutely still want to do that through food because that is still a huge passion of mine. But I do think that there’s a greater purpose for me.”