Hello, my name is Benjamin Brown Jones. 

I am an artist at heart, and have found my life's purpose is in giving meaningful pieces of myself to every significant person in my life. Recently I had a conversation with a mentor, where he continually made reference to "agape love", and though the word has biblical origins, it's significance stretches far beyond the bible, and into my life. Each and every day I do a better job at integrating the compassionate ideal of agape, acting for the betterment of those around me, regardless of reciprocation or response. There is so much to be learned in unrequited love, and I view both my dancing and my work in hospitality as embodied agape. 

I've always been a person of many dreams. Upon discovering ballet at age four while at the YMCA, I became fixated on the art form. In my pursuit of a life in the performing arts, I spent summers in a few different cities across the country, honing my craft along the way. Freshly seventeen, I left high school and home, and moved to Chicago, a trainee at The Joffrey Ballet. In that environment, the caliber is incredibly high, and I found myself inspired and pushed by the talent and hard work of those around me. 

After a year in Chicago, I moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, and joined the Carolina Ballet. It was here that I learned about the importance of self-knowledge. After four fruitful programs with the company, I left in January, recognizing that I needed to step aside and recalibrate.

In the background of my dance career, a parallel dream emerged, as I continually fell more and more in love with the world of restaurants. All my life, I had loved food, and grew up with my mother's great food, and around my family's delicious sausage and bacon company Jones Dairy Farm. From my first job in the dish room at The Heights Kitchen in Madison, I began to find fulfillment in service, and respected the work immensely. 

Upon moving back to Chicago I centered myself in restaurant work. In February of 2025, I joined the Michelin-starred team behind Galit, contributing to the successful opening and operations of their new Chicago concept, Café Yaya.

I continue to balance these dreams, and never cast one entirely aside for the other. Life is about maintaining a balance of all the pursuits and people that keep you fulfilled. I am far from perfect, but I don't claim to be, and will never. Learning is a lifelong pursuit.