Who We Are
Love Food. Love Each Other.
Our Story
Molly and Brian met in culinary school in 2009 in New York City. They bonded over their love of food and tied the knot on 9.28.13. Shortly after getting married, Molly was offered a killer new job that involved moving to Minnesota where they bought their first house in Northeast Minneapolis. The home had a beautiful, private backyard that seemed too gorgeous not to share. In the summer of 2015 Brian and Molly started Jones Sunday Dinners (JSDs) with just a small group of friends and through word of mouth grew the mailing list from 8 to 100 in one summer.
JSD went on hiatus for a few years when Brian went back to traditional restaurant hours. Then, in 2019 as the Jones family prepared to add baby #2, Molly and Brian agreed that the restaurant lifestyle just didn't work for their family. Brian secured a job doing research and development at General Mills, giving him a traditional work schedule.
In the summer of 2021 Molly and Brian felt that a good backyard dinner party was just what everyone needed given the state of the world. JSDs were relaunched that July and the popularity and excitement of great food with good people on a Sunday evening only grown from there.
Good Food. Good Friends. Sunday Dinner.
Meet The Joneses
Brian was born in what he likes to call "the garden part of the Garden State". Upon graduating from high school he went into the Army where he spent 6 years in the Special Forces.
After leaving the Army Brian moved to Brooklyn, NY and found a career in graphic design. In 2009 he finally decided to put his GI Bill to use and enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City (graduating with highest honors).
After graduating, Brian cooked and learned and honed his skills in NYC kitchens including Craft with Tom Colicchio, M. Wells Diner and Steakhouse (both earned a Michelin Star), Morimoto, and Parm.
When Molly dragged him kicking and screaming to the tundra of MN (joking, joking) he worked in Twin Cities restaurants like Tiny Diner, Spoon and Stable, and Lucias before choosing family life over restaurant life.
Molly grew up around the world, living with her family in Austria, Mexico and China. She graduated from Michigan State University (Go Green) with an undergraduate degree in International Relations.
Her career with Steelcase took her to New Jersey in 2006. In 2009 Molly decided to explore some creative passions and earned certificates in Culinary Arts Management and Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education (she only graduated with honors).
Molly combines her business acumen with her culinary background to collaborate with Brian on JSD menus and keep the business side running (relatively) smoothly.
