Yes, Wild Fork Foods uses ChatGPT. And yes, they used it to find the Long Beach-based cooking class organization, Locali Seasoned.
“Wild Fork reached out to us after finding us via a Chat GPT search for best cooking classes in Long Beach,” said Locali founder Abbey Metcalf, laughing. “They felt our website and classes aligned with their desire to help inspire customers in the Long Beach area to cook delicious meals.”
Along with business partner Nicole Nguyen—who operates The Cave Prime Steak out of Partake Collective with partner Juan Sanchez—they will offer three courses focusing on different proteins.
Wait—what is Wild Fork Foods and when did they come to Long Beach?
Wild Fork Foods isn’t your typical grocery store—and that’s by design. Founded in 2018 as a subsidiary of JBS, one of the world’s largest food companies, Wild Fork entered the U.S. market with a clear goal. And that was to disrupt how people shop for meat and frozen goods. And while it may have corporate roots, its retail concept feels surprisingly personal. It combines the efficiency of e-commerce with the convenience of neighborhood storefronts.
The core of Wild Fork’s identity is flash-frozen protein. Think responsibly sourced beef, pork, poultry, seafood, and, in particular, exotic meats. All locked in at peak freshness and sold at direct-to-consumer pricing. The selection reads like a butcher’s dream. Still, the user experience is more tech-forward than traditional: customers can order online for next-day delivery, schedule curbside pickup, or browse one of their curated physical stores.
What started as an ambitious test in Florida has since grown into a fast-moving national footprint—including a growing presence in California, as it opened its first Long Beach store last year. For home cooks who want more control, chefs who geek out over cuts and marbling, or anyone tired of mystery meat behind plastic wrap, Wild Fork is quietly—and quickly—redefining what a modern butcher shop can be.
And this is where Locali Seasoned comes in.
What to expect from the Wild Fork Foods cooking class collab with Locali Seasoned.
Locali Seasoned is, well, a seasoned veteran in the cooking class industry. From working with Chef Jason Winters of Speak Cheezy to cultivate your own sourdough starter to working with Chef Erwin Angeles to teach sushi, Locali Seasoned has always been at the helm of cooking classes here in Long Beach.
“Nicole and I were already familiar with Wild Fork Foods,” Abbey said. “We’re both customers ourselves and loving the variety they offer as well as the reasonable prices. We are eager to introduce their brand to our food-loving community… We shopped the store and had a tough time landing on just one menu. So we decided to do three, four-course cooking classes so guests can choose from three different menus.”
During the class, guests can expect lots of tips on cooking different cuts of protein, how to fabricate a piece of meat, how to use specific kitchen tools effectively, and not just following a recipe, but also cooking by feel.
The classes themselves…
- First Class (Sunday, July 27, 6PM-8:30PM): WILD FORK Class: Picanha 101 — Locali Seasoned
- Second Class (Saturday, Aug. 9, 6PM-8:30PM): WILD FORK Class: Tri Tip 101 — Locali Seasoned
- Third Class (Saturday, Aug. 16, 6PM-8:30PM): WILD FORK Class: Seafood 101 — Locali Seasoned
For the class, not only will you receive the recipes, but also a shopping list, so you can easily visit the store and purchase all the necessary ingredients. Guests will go home with a free Wild Fork goodie bag including spices/rubs, sauces, and a gift card to use towards an in-store purchase.
“One last highlight,” Abbey said. “Chef Juan Sanchez of The Cave Prime steak is a 1st-place award winner for the ‘King of Tri-Tip’ from the California Tri-Tip Association. And he will lead our tri-tip class. He will teach his tips and tricks for you to have the same award-winning taste at home.”
