Hello! Welcome to How To Feed a Loon! We are thrilled you stopped by!! If you’re new to our blog, you may be wondering, What in the world does “How To Feed a Loon” mean? We’re glad you asked!
We (Kris Longwell and Wesley Loon) have been married for over 30 years! We met in 1989 in New York City and it was truly love at first sight.
To repeat: Wesley’s last name is ‘Loon.’ As you may have noticed, there has never been a more aptly named person in the world. Which is why I affectionately refer to him as my “Loon.” And, he loves to eat my food and gets such joy helping me in the kitchen. When trying to think of a name for our blog way back when it all started, it came pretty naturally: How to Feed a Loon.
CULTIVATING CULINARY SKILLS
Throughout the years, I have continuously worked to hone my skills as an expert home cook. I have studied with some amazing chefs, participated in intensive culinary ‘boot camps’ at the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America in New York, and have read and devoured what seems like every cookbook and food blog in the world. Wesley and I have had the honor of cooking and demonstrating our skills at numerous home and culinary shows throughout the country.
I had the exhilarating and somewhat surreal opportunity to compete on Food Network’s Guy’s Grocery Games on the first-ever “Home Cooks” edition. Before filming began, Guy explained to us that he was reluctant to have a ‘home cooks’ episode, because the show is so demanding, and, up until then, only included professional (and often high-profile) chefs.
He told us four contestants that his producers scoured the internet and after many, many auditions and interviews, landed with four of the best home cooks in the country. I was honored, and admittedly terrified. But it was amazing and the judges loved my food.
In the fall of 2013, How To Feed a Loon started as a hobby, but soon turned into something beyond our wildest dreams. Throughout our journey, Wesley has become a master at food photography, video editing, food styling, and much more. His photography has appeared in dining/recipe calendars published by BIC Graphic, digital and hardcover cookbooks, and on the Cooking Channel.
You will notice that many of our recipes include a video of us in the kitchen making the dish. Through plenty of laughter, we show you exactly what you need to know to make the “Loon Approved” dish at home.
TEACHING WHILE HAVING FUN
We have the most amazing fans and followers on the planet. What we hear most is how we help home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen. We strive to bring joy and fun as you prepare comforting dishes that you will not only be proud to serve to family and friends, but recipes that you will want to make time and time again.
Here is a comment from a wonderful home cook in Texas that touched us so deeply:
“As are all of your recipes, y’all (yes I’m from Texas) are both gifted with the ability to take some of the most difficult and seemingly incomprehensible recipes and show us how to prepare them in such a way that we feel there’s nothing we can’t do in the kitchen….Y’all are a part of my family, from my sons and daughter that cook to my husband , myself and many more extended members of our family that I have shared your amazing site with.So from our family to yours; Love and thanks from Deep in the heart of Texas ❤️”
We have a simple premise here at How To Feed a Loon: Let’s do really delicious food, and let’s have a ton of fun doing it.
And most importantly, let’s show you exactly how it’s done in an easy-to-understand way, so your kitchen becomes your ‘happy place.’
Thanks for stopping by. Please come back often. And don’t ever hesitate to send us a note with any questions, thoughts, or feedback about a particular recipe or video, or anything that might be on your mind!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND NETWORK TV!
And don’t forget to follow us on: YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook. And if you are a subscriber to the RCN Network, check out our TV Show (check local listings for air-times).
We love hearing from our friends and fans! We couldn’t do what we do without you or our two beautiful dogs, Ebenezer and Florence, or as we call them…Eb and Flo.
And why would we want to?
We wish you the very best life has to offer…and here’s to Fun, Food and Fabulousness!!
Cheers!
Kris & Wesley
I’m an eighty-year old straight retired nurse and I love you guys, your recipes and fun. You lighten my life and hope to watch you for many more years!
Judith!! You have no idea how much your message means to us. We are THRILLED you are enjoying our recipes and our joy in sharing them. You are 80 years young and have many, many more years of joy and happiness ahead of you. Hopefully with us part of them! We’ll keep on sending you fun and food and you please stay in touch. We LOVE hearing from beautiful human beings such as yourself!! Much love! Kris & Wesley
I have been making this Tomato Soup for about 5 years now. It is my favorite soup recipe. I normally wait for cooler weather to make it, but decided that it’s good any time! Thank you for this wonderful recipe. Next I think I’ll try the French Onion!
Hi Bonnie! We are THRILLED you have been making our tomato basil soup and loving it! Thank you so so much for sharing, and we think you’ll LOVE the French onion soup, too! So good! Keep us posted!
I just want to say I love you both 🙂 Thank you for being such a bright light in this world; bringing your heart with your recipes and site. The world needs more Kris and Wesley. Everyone I’ve shared you with has become a fan, thank you ! <3
Josie! So sorry for the delayed reply! We can’t even begin to express how much this means to us! Thank you so so much for your support! It’s people like you that make us love doing what we do!! Please stay in touch and stay tuned…so much more fun and food on the way! xo Kris & Wesley
QUITE SIMPLY – I WANT A COOKBOOK (OR TWO) from you guys!!!!!
Thank you, Crystal! We are working on it, we promise!!!! Thank you for your support!!!!
I used to get your emails weekly and have printed out so many of your recipes that I started putting them in their own notebook. But I haven’t gotten any emails if the longest time. PLEASE sign me up for your newsletter … I really miss hearing from you and getting great recipes.
Hi Linda! You’re back on the newsletter list! Thank you so so much for your support! And stay tuned…so much more fun and food on the way!
I just signed up for a subscription starting with the two week trial and put in annual payment. However logging on to your website looks the same. I have downloaded the Prepear app but thought that what I my subscription would look like would be your website with out ads. I’m confused now what I have signed up for. Am i paying for Prepear and not the website?
Hi Jo! Just replied to your email. Thank you!!
Not sure where to sign up for your newsletter, and hoping you will get this request in a round-about fashion. Thank you from Montana!
Hi JoAnn from Montana!! Such a BEAUTIFUL state!!!! We’ve added you to our newsletter list!! Thanks for your support and stay tuned for lots more fun and food on the way!!! Kris & Wesley
Can not wait to make this recipe and receive your newsletter. I so enjoyed your video can’t wait to see more!
Woo hoo! If you’re not signed up to receive our newsletter, let us know, and we can do that for you! And PLEASE stay in touch!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Please sign me up for your newsletter.
Done! Let us know if you don’t receive them! Thanks for joining us for food and fun!! Please stay in touch!!
My email was lost and changed. Sadly, I no longer receive your fabulous newsletter and recipes. I cannot find where to signup on your website. How is it possible to signup?
Thankful, Carol
I recently made your blackened redfish but had to substitute flounder because of availability. My son said it’s the best fish he’s ever eaten. Thank you for the recipe!
Hi Debbie! Woo hoo!! Flounder is a wonderful substitution. We are THRILLED you and your son enjoyed the recipe. Thank YOU so very much for sharing and for the kind words! Please stay in touch!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
I live in SC a was we wondering if ya might make our bar Ecuador rice and hash?
Hi Caroline! Sounds wonderful! We have added to our list of recipes to delve into! Thanks for the inspiration! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Just to be clear, you’re referring to BBQ Rice and Hash, which is very popular in SC, correct?
I lost my email address that I was receiving your recipes on. I don’t see anywhere to sign up my new email address to continue receiving your newsletter
Hi Chuck! No problem! We added your name and email back onto the list. You should start receiving new recipes today. Let us know of any issues! Thanks for your support and please stay in touch!
Made your Tuna salad AGAIN tonight (cranberries capers and all) but this time subbed canned sockeye salmon in lieu of tuna- left remainder of the recipe as is but added some spinach. Used it as a filling to a dish my mom used to make wrapping it inside pillsbury crescent roll squares and then baking in the oven. Wow! The salmon and cream cheese gave it this “Vegas roll” feel. Your recipes never fail to impress!
Hi Mike! Woo hoo! This makes us so so happy! And wow! We love the ‘Vegas roll’ with the salmon, spinach, “tuna” salad, and crescent rolls. We are drooling!! Thank you so so much for sharing and the kind words. That honestly means so much to us! Please stay in touch! And stay tuned…so much more fun and food on the way! All the best, Kris & Wesley