07/18/2026
Meet Leon Taylor – Head Cook & Kitchen Manager
If you've enjoyed breakfast or lunch at Mary's Kitchen, chances are you've tasted Leon Taylor's exceptional cooking. As our Head Cook and Kitchen Manager, Leon is one of the first to arrive each morning and one of the last to leave, helping ensure everything runs smoothly from open to close.
Watching Leon work the grill is something to see. With remarkable speed and skill, he prepares omelets and eggs cooked any style, all while managing multiple orders at once. His focus, efficiency, and attention to detail ensure every breakfast entrée is cooked to perfection. Beyond breakfast, Leon also prepares many of our popular lunch specials, including chicken piccata, pot roast, and stuffed peppers.
Born and raised in Petersburg, Virginia, Leon joined the United States Marine Corps after graduating from high school, proudly serving our country for six years. Following his military service, he began his culinary career at Cheryl's Pub before spending two years at Tandem's Pine Tree Inn. He then served as Head Sous Chef at Virginia Wesleyan College for 23 years, where he built an outstanding reputation for his culinary expertise and leadership.
We were fortunate to welcome Leon to Mary's Kitchen 10 years ago. He started as a part-time employee, but his incredible work ethic and dedication quickly earned him a full-time role. Even today, Leon's passion for cooking doesn't stop when he leaves Mary's. In the evenings, he serves as the Head Banquet Chef at Royal Courtyard at West Neck, creating memorable meals for weddings and special celebrations.
Leon and his wife, Dionne, have been married for 38 years and are the proud parents of three children and grandparents to three grandchildren. In his free time, Leon enjoys staying active at the gym, listening to music—he's also a former DJ—and spending quality time with his youngest daughter, who is 11 years old, and his grandchildren.
The next time you visit Mary's Kitchen, please take a moment to give Leon a well-deserved shout-out. We are grateful for his dedication, his outstanding food, and his proud service to our country as a United States Marine.
