Joshua Francis Roland, 42, of North Platte, Neb., formerly of Hillsboro, died Feb. 7, 2022, in Nebraska. Mr. Roland was a chef. He graduated from Christian Brothers College High School, completed the culinary arts program at St. Louis Community College and earned an undergraduate degree at the Culinary School of the Art Institute of Atlanta. He worked for Sir Terence Conran’s London-based restaurant operations, including at Mezzo and the Michelin-rated Orrery, as well as at Gordon Ramsey’s Claridge. He left London and worked with Chef Daniel Bouloud at Restaurant Daniel in Manhattan and later with Chef Alain Ducasse. He was the executive sous-chef at Jean-Georges when the restaurant earned a 3-star ranking from Michelin and 4-star ranking from the New York Times. He appeared on Iron Chef America and teamed with Chef Adam Perry Lang against Chef Bobby Flay. He appeared on numerous TV and radio programs and at various special events, including one at Martha Stewart’s Connecticut estate. He also worked with Chef Perry-Lang at the South Beach Food and Wine Festival. He was a 2013 nominee for Best Chefs America, was featured chef for Meatopia NYC and was executive chef for Salt, which was nominated as Best New Restaurant Midwest by the James Beard Foundation. He also was the Niman Ranch Conference featured chef in Oregon. He was passionate about food and cooking and enjoyed cooking for family, friends and others. He was a Rat Pack devotee and Frank Sinatra fan, and he liked drinking pickle juice straight from the jar, studying history and watching documentaries. He will be remembered for his friendliness and kindness. Born Sept. 12, 1979, in St. Louis, he was the son of Frank (Kellie) Roland and Patricia E. (Woods) Roland-Hamilton, whom he called “Toots.”
He is survived by his stepfather: Louis Hamilton; four brothers: Charlie and Peter Hamilton, Devin (Amber) Roland and Brendan Roland; a sister: Abigail (Drew) Stanton; a stepbrother: Chase Younger; and a stepsister: Amanda Wozniak.
He was preceded in death by grandparents: Charles and Shirley Woods and (former Hillsboro Mayor) Frank and Evelyn Roland; and his second mom: Karney.
A celebration of life will be held later.