LANDON SAUL

OWNER & EXECUTIVE CHEF

Chef Landon Saul is a Central Virginia native whose cooking is deeply rooted in the landscapes and traditions of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Raised in a family where food was a daily craft as much as a way of life, he spent his early years accompanying his father to local orchards and farms to source produce for the family grocery store, and learning the fundamentals of butchery in his parents’ shop. These early experiences shaped a lasting respect for seasonal ingredients, local agriculture, and the integrity of simple, well-prepared food.

As his passion for cooking grew, Landon pursued a professional culinary path through apprenticeships in some of Central Virginia’s most respected kitchens. His training, combined with a commitment to Virginia’s seasonal bounty, placed him at the forefront of the region’s local food movement. Along the way, he developed a deep appreciation for Italian culinary tradition, its clarity, restraint, and reverence for quality ingredients.

In 2013, he had the rare opportunity for advanced training with the Master Chefs of the Italian Culinary Institute in Calabria, Italy. There, he refined his technique and broadened his perspective, working alongside internationally recognized chefs and immersing himself in classical Italian cuisine. He returned to Virginia with a renewed vision: to blend authentic Italian tradition with the freshest local ingredients available to him.

Landon began his career at Vivace in 2003, where his commitment, creativity, and leadership in the kitchen quickly became central to the restaurant’s identity. In 2015, he became co-owner, further shaping the restaurant’s vision and culinary direction. In the spring of 2026, following the retirement of his partner, he became the sole owner of Vivace, continuing its evolution while remaining grounded in its original philosophy of seasonality, authenticity, and hospitality.

Today, Landon leads the kitchen at Vivace, where his cooking reflects a balance of Italian heritage and Virginia terroir. Each dish is guided by seasonality, simplicity, and respect for ingredients, supplementing Virginia’s finest offerings only with select Italian imports when necessary.

Outside the kitchen, he is married to Kathryn, who also contributes to the restaurant’s operations. Together they have three children, a daughter and twin boys and reside in Albemarle County, Virginia. Family remains central to Landon’s philosophy, informing both the warmth of his hospitality and the way he approaches food: grounded, generous, and meant to be shared.

At Vivace, Chef Landon Saul continues to bring together the best of two culinary worlds, Virginia’s land and Italy’s tradition, creating food that is both rooted and refined.

Let the food bring life to your table at Vivace!

Bon appetito!!