Chef Joe Colistro is a wild game chef with a specialization in sausage making, open-fire cooking, and a wide range of creative recipes that consistently resonate with students. His teaching style is relaxed and approachable, offering a contrast to more structured classical instruction while remaining rooted in sound technique.
Joe describes himself as a “road scholar” chef rather than classically trained. His background in law enforcement, combined with growing up around a family catering business, shaped his practical, adaptable approach to cooking. This blend of experience allows him to connect easily with students and present wild game cooking in an accessible, enjoyable way.
An avid hunter from Montana, Chef Joe spends as much time chasing wild game as he does cooking it. His instruction emphasizes versatility, creativity, and confidence, helping students see how wild game can be prepared in a wide variety of settings and styles.
