Chef Jesse Jones is truly passionate about his art.  From the moment he first stepped foot into his mother’s kitchen, he knew that cooking was what he was destined to do.  Coming from a lineage of exceptional cooks, Chef Jesse has undoubtedly inherited the true culinary vision of Southern and Country French cuisine.  Under the tutelage of his mother, Mrs. Mildred Jones, and his Grandmother, Mrs. Hannah Jones, he started honing his skills as a chef, at a very young age. 

Chef Jesse grew up in a small country town in Snow Hill, North Carolina.  However at the age of 14, he returned to his birthplace of Newark, New Jersey, where he formally began his journey towards becoming a chef.  With the help of his mother, he was able to get his first job, working as an assistant to the Chefs of ARA Services.  During his 15 years with the company, he worked his way up to becoming a Director of Food Services, at one of their sites. 

Soon after, at the encouragement of his mother, Chef Jesse decided to pursue higher training.  While attending the Katherine Gibbs School for Business Management, he also worked at Dennis Foy’s Town Square, in Chatham, New Jersey, where he was trained by the Classic French Chef, Dennis Foy.  In July 1999, he completed his courses and obtained an Associate in Business.  

During the next seven years, Chef Jesse further honed his skills as a French cook.  He worked in several restaurants, including Stage House Inn, in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, and Le Jardin, in Maplewood, New Jersey.  In October 2003, with the support of his family, and under the mentorship of Chef Dennis Foy, Chef Jesse realized his lifelong dream by opening up his own restaurant, Heart and Soul Restaurant Catering.  In June of 2006 he shut down his restaurant to focus on his catering services business which  continues to thrive.   

Currently, Chef Jesse is in the process of writing and publishing his own cookbook, titled ‘Cooking with Chef Jesse: Southern Creole Soul’.  He is also working towards launching his own soup line, under the name of ‘Soul Kettle Cuisine’.  One of his future goals is to host his own cooking show.

Despite the many obstacles and challenges that he has faced, Jesse Jones is one Chef that stays true to his art, his passion, and never loses his enthusiasm.  As his favorite saying goes, “you have seen nothing yet!  I am just getting started!”