Ownership

Dan Sperry
Partner/General Manager

Nichole Sperry
Partner/Marketing & Design

Justin Richardson
Partner/Executive Chef 

Culinary & Management Team

Tyler Davenport
Head Chef

Kelsi Slowe
Sous Chef

Connor McGuire
Director of Culinary Operations

Matt Good
Director of Hospitality Operations

Joe Alvarez
Director of Beverage

Meredith Wheeler
Director of People & Culture

EST. 2017
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VELE (pronounced Vay Lay) is Italian for blank canvas. Our chef, Justin Richardson, envisions a “blank canvas” of possibilities as he develops an ever-changing menu drawn from not only his Italian heritage and culinary studies in Italy, but also his classical French training; French precision, modern Italian influence.

The ownership team consists of Dan Sperry, Nichole Sperry and Justin Richardson, the ultimate trifecta.  Dan handles the business and operational aspects, Nichole is our design and marketing aficionado and Justin is our purveyor of all things culinary, developing our menu and training the kitchen staff.

Our specialty... Modern Coastal Italian; Seafood. Pastas. Steaks. We believe in sharing and experiencing new and different tastes so we offer a multitude of small plates meant for sampling, sharing and pairing with our great wines, alongside limited entree selections from the southern Italian region. All clean, fresh, simple, unique, and very deep in flavor.  

Who doesn’t love good food and a new experience?! Ultimately this is a project of passion for each of us in our own unique way. As businessman, designer and chef we each bring a different aspect to the table, literally. We are huge advocates of supporting and promoting locally-owned, independent restaurants and we want to play a part to increase the economic and cultural vitality in downtown Springfield.  Our hope is to deliver a satisfying, meaningful dining experience unlike something Springfield has ever seen. 

 

Awards

Member of the Year Award 2019
Local First Springfield

Best Restaurant
Downtown Springfield, Inc

2018 Iron Chef Gala Winner
Ball-Chatham Education Foundation

2020 Traveler’s Choice Winner
Trip Advisor

2021 Best of The Capital
Silver: Best Fine Dining Restaurant

2023 Best of The Capital
Silver: Best All-Around Restaurant
Silver: Best Fine Dining Restaurant

Featured
Justin Richardson
Justin Richardson

Partner & Executive Chef

Dan Sperry
Dan Sperry

Partner & General Manager

Dan is originally from the St Louis Metro East area where he grew up working in his family's grocery business since the age of 10. His primary focus is on business sales, mergers and acquisitions throughout the Midwest. His entrepreneurial pursuits over the last 15 years have allowed him to be involved in starting, acquiring, operating and investing in several different businesses, including restaurants…  the latest being VELE. 

Nickey Sperry
Nickey Sperry

Partner, Interior Designer & Marketing Manager

Connor McGuire
Connor McGuire

Food Operations Manager

Connor comes to us from Colorado where he grew up in a small town called Crested Butte.  He has over 7 years of experience in the culinary industry as a chef. Connor has a bachelor of arts degree from Johnson Wales University in Colorado where he met Executive Chef, Justin Richardson.