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Brooklyn Jones ’28
For Carroll University student Brooklyn Jones ’28, food has always meant more than just a meal — it’s been a lifelong classroom, a creative outlet and the foundation of her future career. Growing up in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, Brooklyn’s love for cooking and business took root early, sparked by afternoons baking with her mom, cooking with her dad and spending time at her family’s restaurant, The Boneyard Pub & Grille.
“I started in Waukesha County 4-H at five years old,” Brooklyn said. “Through the Foods, Food Preservation and Cake Decorating projects, I learned so many skills that shaped who I am today.” For more than a decade, she honed her craft, mastering everything from baking to food presentation. But as much as she loved the kitchen, it was her time spent behind the scenes at her dad’s restaurant that lit a different kind of fire.
“I realized my passion wasn’t just for cooking — it was for managing and running a restaurant,” she explained. “Growing up learning the ins and outs of the business inspired me to help our restaurant run smoother, create a better workplace environment and improve the customer experience.”
That passion for leadership and operational excellence led Brooklyn to pursue a dual major in Management & Leadership and Business Economics at Carroll University, where she’s set to graduate in May 2028. She also plans to continue her education by earning her MBA at Carroll shortly after completing her undergraduate degrees.
Brooklyn’s hard work and commitment recently caught the attention of US Foods, one of the largest foodservice distributors in the country. She was selected for a $20,000 US Foods scholarship, which, according to the organization, will "help cover her education, along with professional development opportunities through US Foods."
This year’s class of Scholars represents 14 top culinary and hospitality programs across the country, with recipients chosen for their exceptional talent, academic achievement and commitment to the future of foodservice. The restaurant sector is expected to add over 200,000 jobs this year and grow 8% in the next decade, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While Brooklyn is already gaining hands-on experience working as a server and helping manage operations at her family’s restaurant, Brooklyn’s eager to continue growing. “I hope to start an internship in the next year so I can gain more experience in managing a business,” she said. “My goal is to one day own and run our family’s restaurant while being an active leader in the Waukesha County business community.”
At Carroll, Brooklyn has found a place that nurtures her entrepreneurial spirit and global curiosity. “I’ve really enjoyed my business classes, my teachers and the small class sizes,” she said. “I’m especially looking forward to my Cross-Cultural Experience (CCE) class next year, where I’ll get to travel abroad and experience the foods, lifestyles and cultures of another country.”
From decorating cakes as a child to serving guests at her family’s restaurant — and now, preparing to become a leader in the business world — Brooklyn Jones is crafting her own recipe for success: a blend of passion, purpose and the Pioneer spirit that defines Carroll University.