Meet Justin Box | Chef and helper of the human

We had the good fortune of connecting with Justin Box and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Justin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Its as simple as this…. I don’t want to rest my satisfaction on the demand of another human, especially when it comes to making someone else’s dream come true. I’ve over come some pretty crazy odds in my life and I think my family deserves my work load and time apart to push for OUR dreams to come true. Life is too short and we are impermanent beings, so we all, individually deserve our own interpretation of what happiness is. So, what I guess I’m trying to say is, I’m capable of making my own way and I finally realized it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I cook with color, texture and with what’s available around me, locally grown preferred. Although I have somewhat successfully created a name in cooking for bands and artists that I love I am not actually trying to set myself apart, just trying to do what I know how to do and what makes me happy. I’m always looking for new ways to raise my bar. The way I got to where I am today is by self promoting and countless hours of research and exploring what intrigues me. No, nothing worth anything is “easy” I have overcome challenges by remaining teachable by those who have what I want and really reaching for it. The main lesson I have learned along the way is that not everyone has your best interests at heart, and in fact the better you do, the more haters you have. That’s how you know you are on your way!!! All I would want the world to know is that everything I do is for the betterment of my family and to try to be of maximum service to others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend visit me from out of town, I would do like I always do and take them to farms and gardens in and around the City! I would show them some of my favourite mom and pop shops, small delis, taquerias, and hole in the walls around Dallas. I would most definitely end all of it with a cool trip through Deep Ellum, making sure we stopped at Three Links, and if we would be so lucky, we might just hit a punk show.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Beyond and above all, I give all credit to my Creator, and through this many more are to thank. My Mama stayed by my side and believed in me from day 1. Through the hardest struggles in my life she never turned on me. Then came my beautiful wife and Son, he sealed the deal for me and I knew I had something to work hard for. It all made sense after he was born. I also give major recognition to the Dallas hip-hop community and Punk scene, and all of my old homies for constantly being in my corner and rooting me on Through all my endeavors, constantly reminding me to keep pushing. Every single Chef, Manager, dishwasher, and line cook that pushed me, and reminded me why I love this crazy fucking job.

Instagram: @chef_justin_box_food

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.box.54

Image Credits
Jordan Fraker for my head shot Luke Newton for another one