SHOW

HOSTS

Meet the faces behind Okayest Cook. We're not professional chefs; we're a group of hunting buddies who love to cook, share recipes, and help each other grow in the kitchen. We're your typical Midwestern hunters—nice, friendly, and always happy to lend a hand. Join us on this journey of education, camaraderie, and delicious discoveries.

Chris Whonsetler

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  • My wife and I are raising three crazy boys, blessed to be a freelance commercial photographer who’s never had a “real job“. I love good food but am just OK at cooking it.

  • Oh man, this changes seasonally, but if I was forced to pick only one, it would be Thanksgiving turkey - brined, spatchcocked and smoked.

  • Waterfowl & Whitetail if I was forced to pick favorites (in that order), but have been known to chase everything from bullfrogs to turkey. Actively trying not to fall in love with fishing, because I don’t need another hobby…

  • I’m a firm believer in the fact that everything tastes good if purchased at the right time of year and from the right vendor. If you don’t like something try it later, you might change your mind. But cantaloupe is generally pretty terrible. I’ve only had one that was actually pleasant.

  • Scotch, old & peaty

  • My grandma made the best strawberry shortcake I will ever have. Shortcake from scratch, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and topped with strawberries from her garden. Truly divine.

Andy Heiser

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  • Husband. Bow Hunter. CrossFitter. Pickleballer. Marketer. Andy loves to cook, hang out with friends on the boat, and is a huge fan of Miller Lite.

  • Nothing beats venison backstrap fresh off a cast iron skillet.

  • Deer is my target species, but I love hunting hogs in TX, waterfowling with these guys, and I can be convinced to chase the thunder chickens.

  • Celery… Hands down.

  • MILLER LITE.

  • Both my wife and my mom make a killer peanut butter pie. I will not choose sides for my own protection.

FOUNDED WITH

Colton Heiniger

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  • Husband. Father. Hunter. Cook. Gym Fanatic. Nerd. Colton loves spending time with his family outside hiking, gardening, exploring, as well as the solitude of hunting and rock climbing. He also loves a good bonfire and getting friends to try and enjoy wild game in a new kind of way.

  • Smoked Brisket

  • Whitetail will always be my number one. Nothing gets my blood pumping more than drawing back a bow on a deer, but loving the fun and comradery of waterfowl more and more (Thanks to Chris). Plus, can you ever have enough backstraps in the freezer?

  • Green Olives – no explanation necessary.

  • Tough choice. In no particular order, I have to go with some local Midwest brews.

    1. Three Floyds & War Pigs Collab. “Foggy Geezer” Hazy IPA

    2. Four Day Ray “Track Jumper” IPA

    3. Upland Brewing “Campside” Pale Ale

    4. New Glaurus “Moon Man” IPA

  • My wife’s chocolate chip cookies. Sounds simple, but they are the best you’ll ever have.

Corey Cole

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  • Husband. Father. Hunter. Gatherer. Serial Entrepreneur. Follower. Corey enjoys hanging outdoors with his family and experimenting in the kitchen and introducing his friends to new things.

  • Steak off the cast iron, mashed potatoes, fresh green beans in the cast iron.

  • I’m an avid whitetail and waterfowler. I enjoy a good squirrel hunt and forever striking out on the turkeys.

  • Squash and Blue Cheese! Hate them both!

  • Rum & Sprite on the rocks.

  • German Chocolate Cake or a fresh, hot homemade pie (pretty much any kind) with some vanilla ice cream.