Longtime Freshlist Supporter, Michaela Moehring, Jumps From Sweet To Savory

Written By: Matt Martin (previous Chef & Freshlist Director of Operations)

The evolution of industry members is something I’ve always been captivated by. It could be a lead line cook stepping into a key role—trusted to close down the restaurant after the chef or sous chefs have left. Or the pantry cook getting thrown onto the hot line for the first time. These moments demand new skill sets, a deeper understanding of composition, and a sharper recognition of ingredients.

But one of my favorite transformations is when someone from the pastry side of the kitchen crosses into the savory world. That’s exactly what’s happening at Hex Coffee, Kitchen & Natural Wines—where Michaela Moehring is taking over the kitchen as Chef de Cuisine.

I first met Michaela when I was a delivery driver, back when she was working pastry at 5Church—now Church and Union—and later at La Belle Helene. Her desserts had a playful precision I’ve never forgotten. I remember her crafting lemon meringue molds shaped exactly like lemons—delicate, exact, but full of personality.

She was always the first to greet me at the back door, and I’ll never forget how she’d call out to her team, “Matt from Freshlist is here!”—bringing attention to the local abundance I was about to drop off.

Over the years, Michaela’s journey has taken her out of the pastry kitchen and into savory cooking—first at Little Mama’s under the mentorship of Marc Jacksina, and now as Chef de Cuisine at Hex. The restaurant blends Japanese-Hawaiian and Southern influences, and Michaela’s evolving the menu in a way that highlights those roots while celebrating the ingredients of our region.

You can already see it happening—in the Bush-n-Vine blackberries folded into the filling of her malasada pastries, for example. It’s thoughtful, grounded, and unmistakably hers. We got to experience a simple but flavor-packed yakitori shiitake menu dish as well, simple but not boring, which can be a tricky balance. As the time goes by seeing chefs in our city stay in our city is what adds to the character Charlotte’s food scene has. We wish for the continued success of all of our friends at Hex. We would love to know when you visit, what dish or drink did you go for?