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
Hi,
I found you via Stonegable and Iam glad to find your side.
Hi Guys. I found you via Stonegable and am so happy Yvonne let her readers know about you! I am now signed up for your blog and look forward to your recipes and learning about the fun you have in the kitchen.
BTY your fur babies are adorable.
Happy Cooking!
Hi Lin!
Thank you so much!! We are so glad you found us and so happy Yvonne share us with you! We really appreciate you following the blog and we’ve got so much great fun and food on the way. Please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Hey fellas, I want to tell you I am so happy I found this site!! I was looking for a recipe for garlic parm wings and I found you. I watched your video and made the wings they were awsome!!! My boyfriend also loved them!! I can’t wait to try more of what you offer on the site. I’m looking for a great recipe for chicken croquettes would you happen to have one? I’ve tried many but they don’t seem as good as what I’ve had in the past from a place where I can’t get them anymore. Thanks for sharing your love of food.
Debbie
Hi Debbie! Thank you so much for reaching out to us…that means the world to us!! And we are so glad you and the bf enjoyed the wings! We love ’em, too. I don’t have a chicken croquettes on the site, but will add it to the list to add in the near future. Thanks for the inspiration! Stay in touch! Much more to come. xoxo Kris & Wesley
Hi Kris & Wes – I happily stumbled upon your site while looking for a baked ziti recipe yesterday (can’t wait to try your version). Before I knew it – I had saved probably 40 (or more!!) of your recipes!! Thanks for giving me some new stuff to try this summer. You guys look like you truly know how to love life and each other and I think that’s awesome. Thank you again and best wishes for a great summer full of fun adventures for you two and your cute pups!
Hi Jennifer!! You literally just made our week! Nothing makes us happier than to get notes like this. We really do love what we do and love being able to share it with like-minded folks who love and appreciate good food and drink…and love to enjoy life and laugh a lot! (Pups make the journey that much more fun!). Please stay in touch, and keep your eyes peeled…lot more on the way!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
If anything is wrong at your place…Blaim Eb. I can tell by the look on his face…He did it!
That’s so funny! Actually, the more overt troublemaker is his sister, Flo. But the 2 together can wreak a little havoc from time to time, too!!
Going to love some of these recipes and having you in my life.
Love your dogs. Bet they are rescues. I have a half Aus Shep and Black lab. Smart and so thoughtful. Rescue.
Hi Ann!! How wonderful to hear from you!! Talk about a breath of fresh air! Yes, Ebenezer and Florence (Eb and Flo) are rescue dogs. They are brother (Eb is the brown one) and sister (Flo the tan one) and they are half lab and half dachshund! I bet your dog is beautiful! We just love Eb and Flo so much and they are very affectionate and lovable.
We are so happy to have you in our lives!! Stay in touch!
Much love,
Kris & Wesley
Please add me to,your instapot list.
Love it, but still looking for tried and true recipes that are both family friendly and somewhat plant based to create with the instapot. Trying to be healthier with our choices.
Hi Kris & Wes,
Made the homemade mayo, I love it……I added a little Sriracha at the end oh yum!!!
Love you guys,
Doreen
Hi Doreen!! Yes! Love a touch of Sriracha in homemade mayo! Now, you’re really talking! So good!
We love you, too!!!
Kris & Wesley
Hi guys! I was searching for the best chicken salad recipe and landed on your video…started watching and just loved it…what was more a big wow for me was the recipe posted for homemade mayo…in all my million years…I have been a mayo eater and never made homemade…until now…I had all the ingredients and was convinced by your video it was worth a try! LOVE IT!! I don’t think I will ever buy mayo again…thanks for your super cute videos..made me laff and sharing your love of great recipes! I’m a fan!!
Oh and I meant to say that I made your chicken salad recipe with your homemade mayo recipe!! OMG!! I’m hooked!! Your website is now bookmarked and I will be searching your blog for recipes in the future…great job!! thanks for sharing!
Awesome!!!! Thank YOU!! xoxo
You just made us SO HAPPY!!! Nothing makes us smile more and feel all warm and fuzzy than when we get a message like yours. Isn’t making homemade mayo easy and FUN!! And so delicious! We’re so glad you found us and here’s to a fun, food-loving relationship!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Hi Kris and Wesley…wished I lived close to y’all … we would have a lot of fun!….love your passion for quality food and when I watch your videos…you make me smile! only problem is…everything that I am watching…..I want to make…and I believe life is too short not to have something different every single night or at least every single week!! so……I have had weight loss surgery so I can only have about a 1/2 cup-of these amazing recipes…I say to anyone in the same situation….follow Kris and Wesley….totally worth it..Make it and freeze it and enjoy on smaller portions… make for a crowd! .Amazing recipes and super excited to find them!! blessings and peace on y’all kris and Wesley!! Big Hug! Kristy
Hello there!
Just came across your website looking for instant pot short ribs. Guess what I’m making for dinner this weekend?!
Please add me to your mailing list!
Thanks so much. Hope things are well in your neck of the woods.
Hi Patty! We are so happy you found us!! Here’s to lots of fun times and good food! You’ve been added to the list! Now, every time a new recipe is posted, you’ll see it in your mailbox! Yum!
Thanks so much, Kris & Wesley…and things are great in our neck of the woods, hope they’re fantastic in yours, too!!
I took your recipe for black bean and Andouille sausage, the recipe is for 6 and I need 10-12 people, I have to make it for 10-12 people, if you can give me any help I would appreciate it. Also I only have wet beans!
Hi guys,
I was looking for a good schnitzel recipe and came across your website. The wiener schnitzel recipe with gravy looks amazing. I’ll be making that this evening, along with spaetzel. Was stationed in Italy for three years and spent a lot of time in Germany. Miss that amazing German food (and the Italian food wasn’t half bad either!). Anyway, absolutely loved the video (a riot!) and the recipe looks fantastic. Will let you know how it turns out. In the meantime, if you could add my email to your newsletter/recipe listing, I’d greatly appreciate it. Thanks a million and have a great day!
Hi Mark!
So great to hear from you and so glad you found us, and we found you! Hope the schnitzel with gravy turned out good for you! We love it! We lived in Germany (Hamburg) for a couple years and also loved the food. And we experienced the same thing, there were lots of really great Italian restaurants, too.
We added you to the email distribution, so every time a new recipe is published, you’ll see it in your inbox.
Thanks so much for reaching out to us, and please stay in touch!
Best,
Kris & Wesley (The Loon)
Hi Kris and Wesley,
This is my first time on your site. I was browsing and found
this wonderful recipe for white beans, smoked ham and kale. It
has a little German flavor to it. I have prepared this style bean
recipe before in my large enameled Creuset pot.
Here is the question, how can I convert your recipe to be
instant pot friendly. Just purchased a instant pot I am trying to
adapt my favorite recipes to cook with the pressure cooker.
If you guys could help it would be greatly appreciated.
I love your site.
Bill
Hi Bill!
Thanks so much for reaching out to us! So glad you found us, and so wonderful to hear from you. That is definitely one of our favorite soups. Especially as the weather starts to turn colder. Let me give some thought to how to convert the recipe for Instant Pot. Your timing is perfect because we are about to launch a new series on the blog and YouTube channel called Instant Pot Thursday. Every Thursday I’ll have a new Instant Pot recipe on the blog. I’ll definitely add this to the list. As with so many cooks out there, I’m still learning best techniques with the Instant Pot, so recipe development takes a little longer. But stay tuned, it’s coming!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Hi. I love your recipes. i already get your recipes. I am autistic and I get anxious and agitated easily and as a young adult had a lot of trouble coping but I took up cooking and baking in my 20s and really took it to a new level in my early 30s I went to school and got a certificate in baking. I really become a much more stable adult through cooking and baking for I found it not only very theraputic but also helped me with my self esteem which was very low, and gave me confidence too. I am very good at cooking and I am not bad at composing my own recipes as well. But that doesnt mean I dont appreciate good ones from someone else too. I actually am planning to make the tamales you posted today as soon as I can shop for the ingredients and find a suitable steamer. I am a fairly stable and well not totally normal but I guess I am lovable and I attribute much of my wellness to my hobby of cooking and baking good foods, and sharing them with others too…thanks for your website it is fun. All the best. Adelle
Hi Adelle,
Thank you so much for reaching out to us. You are such an inspiration! That is truly wonderful to hear that cooking and baking has had such a positive impact on your life. And congrats on the baking certificate! You are, no doubt, a great baker! Which very few people can say. We’d love to see some of your recipes! Good luck with the tamales, they are one of our favorites, and we get such pleasure in making them. They are a labor of love, no doubt, but also so very delicious!! Please stay in touch. All the best to you, too! xoxoxo Kris & Wesley
Hi,
Would you be kind enough to put me on your e-mail list for recipes. I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Claire
Hi Claire!
You’ve been added! Thanks so much and please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Please add me to your email list
Hi Christine!
You are now on the H2FaL Newsletter! You’ll never miss a thing!! Thanks for subscribing! Best, Kris & Wesley