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
Stumbled across this blog while searching for Pictures of the Dallas Skyline, sounds like you guys have a bunch of fun with many recipes and adventures. Congratulations on creating a fun and exciting life together. – http://www.djemir.com
Guys, I recently stumbled upon your channel and WOW have to say you are truly the real enchilada! Where were you in my culinary insipid 2018?
Thus far I’ve tried the Chicken quesadilla (comfort heaven), Jumbo Lump Crab Au Gratin (died went to food heaven).
I’m going to make 20 of your recipes in 20 days! Thank you for sharing your amazing talent!
Regards,
Dee
Dee!! You just made us so happy!!! We are so glad you found us! And we are equally happy that we found YOU!! WE hope you love the recipes and keep your eyes peeled, lots more to come!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Love, love, love this gem of a blog that I just discovered yesterday. I was on the search for cajun macaroni salad and made you all’s delicious macaroni salad and added shrimp last night. It was a huge hit!! My mom and husband both loved it and even my 8 month old was stretching her hand out for some! I look forward to trying more of your recipes for my family and friends 🙂
Thank you both!!
Kadejah!! Thank you so much! You have no idea how much that means to us. We are so glad you found us and we are thrilled to have found YOU!! And we are so glad you liked the Cajun macaroni salad…we love it so much, too!! And we are so glad your family loved it as well. Hope you find more recipes to try and keep on the lookout for much, much more to come. Thank you!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Hi , just found your blog on Pinterest and have be furiously pinning and printing your recipes. Can’t wait to make them. I plan to subscribe to your newsletter/blog.
Hi Sandi!! Yay! So glad you found us and we found YOU!! Thank you so much! We really hope you enjoy what you find here and please stay in touch. Lots to discover, and lots still to come!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Lordy Lordy, last night I made a huge pot of Your/my Jambalaya & it reigned supreme!!!! Stumbled across your website & I am impressed!!! Thanks & happy eating in 2019! PS what exactly is a “loon “?
Yes, indeed, the chief likes to know that, too.
Hi Bernice!! So thrilled you liked the jambalaya and even more thrilled that you found us and we found you!! Glad you like what you see! A ‘Loon’ is Wesley’s last name, and he love my (Kris’) cooking. Therefore…how to feed a Loon! Stay in touch!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Your website is fantastic! Since discovering you when searching for a chicken salad recipe (it is the best!) all I want to do is cook your recipes – they are delicious- so tasty and the descriptions get you so excited to cook the meal.
I find your content and personalities to be uplifting and inspirational.
Meghan!! You just made our day, our week…heck…maybe the new year!! Thank you so much, and we are so glad you found us and we found YOU!! Please stay in touch!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
I nominate this website and your YouTube channel “best food and entertainment find of 2018-2019”! I have been binge watching your channel and reading this website non-stop for the last 2 days. What a great way to ring in the New Year. I have my husband hooked as well. We tried your chicken salad last night and I plan to make your meatballs next weekend. THANK YOU both so much for being so very fabulous!
Suzanne!!!! THANK YOU!! So sorry for the delayed response!! This makes us so very, very happy to hear. We are so glad you discovered our site and channel. We can’t thank you enough for reaching out to us with the kind words. It really means the world to us. Please stay in touch!! All the best, and Happy New Year!!!! Kris & Wesley
Cannot wait to try the chicken salad, being from the South no one will part with their “secret family recipe” and this sounds wonderful. Will be taking it to a girls Xmas get together (really just an exuse to get away from our families and let our hair down) so we shall see what they have to say!
Thank you, Paula!! We think you will like this recipe a lot, please let us know what everyone thinks of it!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Great site! Best wishes from the UK! 😀
Great site! Best wishes from the UK 🙂
Thank you so much, Emma! So glad you found us and we found you! And we LOVE the UK! Stay in touch! 🙂
Your recipe for tamales came up during my search. I have never done making tamales before but you made it look easy because of the pictures, (maybe a video later?). I would like to try this but I need half the amount. Also, do you have a recipe for filipino valenciana? I think they use sticky rice. Thank you.
Hi Maria! We are currently working on a video for these tamales, so stay tuned! You can half the amount, no problem. Just cut the recipe in half and you’ll be good. I don’t have a recipe handy for filipino valenciana, but now I’m intrigued! Will let you know if I come across one or end up making some for the site. Thank you for reaching out to us!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Hello! I stumbled upon your website while researching a good chicken salad… and I found a GREAT one. Your site will absolutely become a go-to for me for yummy food! Thank you so much for sharing yourselves and your food!
Thank you, Taylor!! That is so awesome to hear!! Please stay in touch and thank you so much for reaching out to us. Means the world to us!! xo Kris & Wesley
Hi Kris and Wesley! I stumbled upon your website looking for a scallop recipe and can’t wait to try the scallop and asparagus dish. Your videos are a hoot! Please add me to your mailing list. I tried to subscribe myself but never got a confirmation in my inbox.
Looking forward to seeing more fabulous recipes from you!
Hi Amy!! Thank you so much for reaching out to us and we are so very happy that you found us, and we found YOU!! 🙂 We’ll make sure your email is in the newsletter distribution list. Please stay in touch!! Best, Kris & Wesley
omg! your dogs have the most precious faces! <3 <3
looking forward to trying your recipes..just stumbled upon your site.
thanks,
nicole
Thank you, Nicole!! They are crazy adorable. We couldn’t be more happy that you stumbled over us!! Stay awhile!! And stay in touch!! Best, Kris & Wesley
I found your blog looking for a shrimp and grits recipe. Love it! You guys are so much fun to watch. I hope you get a show. I will be following!
Thank you, Dawn!!! That means so much to us!! We really appreciate it and we are so glad you found us and we found YOU! 🙂 Please stay in touch and let us know if you make those shrimp and grits…we think they are to die for!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Hi Guys,
stumbled upon your website looking for a chicken salad recipe. I was more interested in your antics than the recipe. You two should have your own TV show. It is a joy watching you two interact with one another and to bring such great laughter into this complicated world of ours. Looking forward to your shows in the future.
Dell