Former Meridian chef Junior Borges announced his departure from the restaurant in an Instagram post on Saturday, October 14.
In a recent interview with D Magazine, Borges’ official last day was October 5. According to Borges, it was a mutual decision between both him and The Village. Borges will also no longer serve as the vice president of culinary for the development. The executive chef, Justin Mosley, also departed from the restaurant last month.
“It was kind of the time,” he told D. “Time had run its course.”
The Brazilian-American restaurant was a personal concept from the chef who combined his experience in Brazil with his learnings in New York and Houston. Meridian opened in 2021 in The Village. Since opening, its menu has been a one-of-a-kind concept with its Brazilian fused flair and a recent menu change with a la carte and prix fixe options.
“Thank you to everyone past and present that had been a part of this journey, thank you to my team for believing in me and the concept, for the passion and dedication of my team and everyone that worked there,” Borges’ post reads. “Thank you to our guests for letting us take care of you. To our suppliers for going above and beyond.”
So far, Borges hasn’t expressed what his next move will be.
“We created something really special, a cuisine rooted in my heritage and diversity, something that hasn’t been done before. I hope I get to cook Modern Brazilian Cuisine again someday. Life goes on and I’m open for new opportunities.”
Filling in as the director of culinary for The Village is Nick Walker who has been with The Village for almost two years. Other prior roles include the executive chef at Dallas’ Virgin Creek Hotel, executive chef at The Joule, and chef de cuisine at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek.
