I'm just a guy who really enjoys cooking. As a kid, I would scrounge the pantry introducing myself to various ingredients. By high school was being inspired by cooking shows to start tinkering with recipes. During college I was cooking a lot for us in off-campus housing. It wasn't until someone asked if I had ever considered professionally cooking when I took the leap to attend a culinary program.
Finding myself in a similar situation 16 years later; where my clients, friends and family have all mentioned the idea of creating a product to be sold in stores. Food production is an entirely different world compared to the restaurant/service industry so I wasn't sure how this process even worked. But a little research and simply sending the first email got the ball rolling.
Beginning with spice blends was just one of those "aha" moments mixed with "I could put that of everything" reaction. That kind of excitement is special and it led to landing on a name for the brand. At this point in life I'm thinking about about my grandparents. My grandfather passed two years ago and naturally I'm worried for how grams would adjust to living alone. The winters have been rough so I drive us around and we run errands. Walking around in the grocery store I find myself staring at all the spices on the shelf while she shops. She'll come over with prod and ask "when are you getting on that shelf?"
I went home to think about it. Gramps really loved Loons. He had pictures in his office and at home. They live on a lake across from grandparents. Every now and then you get to hear their song carry over the water. I guess I'm really trying to pay homage for them who made it possible for me to attend a culinary school in the first place. I want to provide a trusted brand for the community I grew up in and maybe change my life in the process.
If you've read this far, thank you so much for taking the time to learn about how this story began. I've never blogged before and this is all part of the new learning experience, but I hope you get a chance to try my blends and create some amazing memories around your tables, fire pits and tailgates with your friends and family.
-Benny