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
This is a great site. Many good classic recipes, many seem to have original twists. Love the commentary. Love the enthusiasm and joyful energy. The world is a better place because of this site!
Thank you so much, Marjorie! That means the world to us! Truly, it does. Please stay in touch! All the very best, Kris & Wesley
New to your blog and excited to try the Chicken Marsala for my husband next weekend. I also read the recipe for your peach cobbler and (living in Texas) can’t wait to drive to Pittsburgh for peaches in May and put that recipe in rotation as well! Please add me to your mailing list, as I would love to receive all the new recipes!
I love your story! I have enjoyed sooooo many of your recipes! I’m making your stuffed herb tenderloin today. I’m planning on making your Texas Chili next week. When I went to pull the recipe I had pinned, it came back as no longer avaliable. That was my go to Chili recipe. Is there any way to get that recipe? I would also love to be on your list for any new recipes that come out. Please and thank you!
Hi Ray! Thank you so so much! We are thrilled you are enjoying our recipes! And so sorry about the Texas Chili recipe. Somehow it got deleted from our site! We needed to re-create it and it got a new web address. Here it is: https://howtofeedaloon.com/texas-chili/. We also added you to our newsletter list so you’ll never miss a new recipe when it’s published! Thanks again for your support and please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesely
I fell in love with Queso when I was recently in the Austin area. It became my goal to find the best tasting Queso recipe. Today was my recipe test day. I actually had a different recipe I was going to try, but my husband wasn’t excited about it calling for Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese. Oddly, I was looking through my binder of recipes for my Chile Verde recipe and stumbled upon a printed copy of your Tex Mex Queso recipe. For the life of me, I can’t remember ever finding nor printing your recipe, but there it was in my binder. (It was a no brainer which recipe I was going to make) So I returned my Extra Sharp Cheese and bought the American Cheese and everything else to follow your recipe. It is absolutely delicious! The Queso received raved reviews from my “foodie” family! I also made your Pico de Gallo recipe and it too received raved reviews! Thank you very much! I can’t wait to try more of your recipes!! Y’all Rock!!
Hi Renee! We can’t even begin to express how happy this all makes us! We understand the need to get your hands on quality queso! And to be able to make it in your own kitchen is even better! Sounds like you prepared it perfectly! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the WONDERFUL review! That means the world to us! Please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
My husband announced that he is tired of the texture of chicken. I had just bought 4 rotisserie chickens !! to make dishes to freeze so he doesn’t have to cook when I recover from surgery in 2 wks. Found your Best Chicken Salad recipe. It is sooo scrumptious! He inhaled it! I’m going to make a curry version for myself. Glad I can freeze it. Thank you for the best chix salad I ever tasted.
Noel! You just made us so so happy! We are thrilled you and your husband enjoyed the chicken salad! We have a curry version on our site, too! It’s soooooo good! And we wish you a safe and speedy recovery from your surgery!! We hope you’re able to enjoy some yummy chicken salad (and more) while you recover!! Stay in touch! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Kris. Recipe for zuppainglese?
We loved the spiedini at the old Grotto Azzura (established 1900’s, Mr. Davino).
Did you know Neal O’Donnell? He was a friend and chef working for Corning, Inc. (Formerly, Corning Glass Works).
Richard
Hi Richard! We don’t currently have zuppa inglese, but we are inspired by it! We’ll research and see if we can get into our production schedule. Thanks for much for the inspiration! I don’t think we know of Neal O’Donnell, but visited Corning Glass Works with my parents about 10 years ago, and it was amazing! Although we just watched glass blowing…we didn’t know there was a chef on staff!! Take care, Kris & Wesley
Haven’t tried a bad recipe yet!
Thank you! Love your videos.
Wishing you a happy healthy new year!
Thank you so so much! That fills our hearts with happiness! Thank you so much for sharing! And we wish you the happiest and healthy new year, too!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Put me on your list for recipes. Thanks. I am trying your pork roast today!
Yay! We added you to the list! Now, every time a new recipe is published, you’ll get it via email!! And, when you can, let us know how the pork roast turned out! Best, Kris & Wesley
Happy New Year! I found you guys looking for a mushroom Swiss burger recipe on pinterest. Oh my d@mn that was a great burger!! 🙂 Can’t wait to make it again soon. Now I’m off to find out what other great recipes you got that I need in my life! Thank you and I hope this new year treats you both very well.
Hi Mellie! Woo hoo! We are so so happy you found us…and we found you! That mushroom Swiss burger is one our all-time favorites! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for sharing and PLEASE stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
I was scouring the internet for a “really good” recipe for texas-style queso, and found yours! Marvelous! I also love your classic Chicken Piccata. Thanks for sharing your kitchen with us!
Nancy! You just made us so so happy! We are THRILLED you are having fun with our recipes and we truly hope you stay in touch and try many more! Thank you so so much for sharing!!!
Oh & btw, Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! Let’s make 2023 a spectacular year!
Hi, I would love to learn about your recipes. I read so many great things. Can I sign up w/my email address for a newsletters of recipes because I’m not on any social media?
I love finding new cooks w/recipes that aren’t complicated.
Thank you,
Stacy
Hi Stacy! We just added you to our newsletter email list! Now, you’ll get a new recipe every time it’s published!
I love you guys! Am making your creamed spinach recipe for Thanksgiving this year. Have also used other recipes from your videos. Thank you for making cooking fun and easier!
Hi Maryann! Woo hoo! Thank you so so much! We’re sending lots of love back your way, too! We hope you enjoy the creamed spinach and please let us know if you have any questions and how it all turns out! Have a beautiful Thanksgiving!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Love your stuff, looking forward to more!
Thank you so so much, Jean! That means the world to us! Please stay in touch and stay tuned…so much more fun and food on the way! All the best, Kris & Wesley
I found your kolache video and then discovered your website. Great. I need another recipe site like I need another hole in my head, but, yours looks so promising that I’ve moved it to the top of my recipe bookmarks (meaning you get first dibs on new recipe tryouts). My family is very Czech and I grew up around Czech food most of my life so now my goal is to make that perfect, almost chewy kolache dough, which is my favorite. Great job on the recipes and I hope to see more Czech pastry recipe videos in the future.
Thank you so so much! We’ll get more Czech pastry recipes in the lineup!
I just discovered your website after finding your mahi taco recipe, which is insanely delicious! I did add mango salsa to it which was a sweet addition for a summer meal. I love your story, your energy and the recipes I am finding on your site. I met my husband in NYC, and am a daughter of a chef that attended the CIA, so food is for sure a big part of my heart. As an exhausted Mom of 3, you keep me inspired! By the way, my super picky kids said the mahi tacos were the best tacos ever!
Hi Annie! So sorry for the delayed response! This fills our hearts with joy! Thank you so much for your kind words and you inspired us!! Stay in touch! Kris & Wesley