10?’s with Pastry Chef Justin Emanuel Mohler

Justin Mohler went to culinary school at Sullivan University and has been a pastry-chef in the Dayton area for the better part of twenty years, working at Blue Moon, Christopher’s Restaurant and Olive- An Urban Dive. Hoping to open in August, Salt Block Biscuit Company has been a long time in the planning, with construction delayed and some of the layout changed as COVID 19 social distancing has taken over.

His new place will be located in the Fire Blocks District at 115 East Third Street and will feature fresh baked goods with breakfast and lunch served to go or from the baker’s dozen bar stool at a counter. He’ll also be open for nighttime service on the weekends and hopes to feature cooking classes as well.

There will also be a small bodega style market section that will feature grab and go goodies, that will include high end tinned meat (think sardines and tuna) as well as locally sourced honey, jams and vinegars.

While waiting for the final touches to be put on his building, after a long delay due to the Pandemic, Justin was kind enough to take on our DMM Chef’s 10 Questions Interview:

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

Butter: I love the fact that this dairy product is Universal in so many ways. From flaky French pastries to adding richness to a curry Indian or Thai cuisine, it succeeds to many levels.

What ingredient do you dread?

Rose Water: This is best used for perfumes and not for internal use. Ha! I mean you wants a mouth full of potpourri?

A little bit goes a long way, thats for sure.

What’s your favorite dish to make?

Any type of shoulder, leg or arm that would require a full day in the oven and fills the air with an herby bold aroma.

What’s your favorite pig out food?

Chips & Dip of any shape or form

What restaurant, other than your own, do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?

I’m a sucker for ole school Supper Clubs, Treasure Island, Hickory Bar-B-Q, Buckhorn, Oakwood Club.

These places take me back to my childhood when we would go out with my grandparents on a Saturday night. What a treat that was!! Also these places have a feeling of tradition which to me makes the menu more consistent and no surprises.

What’s your best advice for home chefs?

Clean as you go

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

Nancy Silverton, Martha Stewart, Christina Tosi, & Samin Nosrat

I just have a strong connection with how they view food. I also feel they would leave their egos at the door and would be open for me to pick their brains. At least I would hope.

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

Elizabeth Valenti

She takes pride in her staff and does so much for the community. I’m just getting to know her but all I’ve witnessed is kindness and patients. Another person I would love to have over for dinner soon.

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?

Bike and Brewery hopping

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:

I once caught my shirt on fire while stirring rhubarb.

While working at Christopher’s in late May of 2009. I had a large stock pot full of chopped rhubarb to cook down slightly before adding it to my strawberries. To keep it from burning in the bottom of my pot, I constantly had to keep a firm intense stir. My friend who was also a chef in the kitchen that day looked over at me stirring and said ” Justin you’re on fire!!”

Thinking she was commenting on my determination of not burning the rhubarb.. I replied ” I Know” and just kept stirring with a smile.

She raised her voice ” No, you’re literally on fire”

I looked down and here I had myself too close to the range and had caught my shirt on fire. With a panic I turned around and headed for the sink. How I did not burn myself is beyond me, but my shirt on the other hand had seen better days. I then borrowed an undershirt from a server so I could finish my strawberry rhubarb cobbler.

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