In Conversation With Cooking, Baking, and Hosting Expert John Kanell at his Connecticut Farm – and His Must-Have on Every Tablescape

Homeworthy had the pleasure of speaking with John Kanell, the New York Times Best Selling Author, Cooking & Baking Expert, and Founder of Preppy Kitchen, about his latest book, Preppy Kitchen Super Easy: 100 Simple and Versatile Recipes. In this interview, John shares his top tips for hosting stress-free dinner parties, insights into his home décor influenced by his idyllic farm in Litchfield County, and how he balances beautiful design with practical elements for his young family. Purchase his new book, coming out August 20th, here.

HOMEWORTHY: You’ve become a go-to source for practical yet delicious recipes perfect for busy families. What are your top three tips for hosting a successful and stress-free dinner party at home?

JOHN KANELL: My top three tips for hosting a successful dinner party are to plan ahead, then make ahead anything you can. Have that lasagna assembled and ready for the oven, your cheesecake is baked chilled or thawing out if you made it way in advance and froze it for later. Be realistic with your menu! Don’t try and do everything under the sun, some of my most memorable dinner parties had super-simple menus, which allowed the host to be present and relaxed with their guests. Buy the things you don’t have time to make and accept help from friends if they want to bring anything. Plan the table and set it in advance. People eat with their eyes and some candles, flowers and attention to detail will go a long way to making your dinner party a memorable event.

HOMEWORTHY: Your farm in Litchfield County sounds idyllic. How does the setting influence your home décor? Can you share any specific elements that are particularly influential?

JOHN KANELL: My husband and I fell in love with the historical architecture in Connecticut before we moved. It’s so lovely to see homes dating back hundreds of years being preserved for future generations but still lived in and decorated to reflect the owner’s taste. We put a lot of period details back into our house and bought a mix of furniture that matched the traditional style we love while still being suitable for life with our 7-year-old twin boys. Luckily, we both love pattern and agreed on all the wallpaper choices.

HOMEWORTHY: How do you balance incorporating beautiful, fine décor with pieces that are durable and practical for your young boys?

JOHN KANELL: When we redid our dining room the boys were toddlers and dinners could get messy. We installed some beautiful paneling with a chair rail and above it wanted some gorgeous wallpaper. We were quite tempted to get some lovely hand painted paper made but instead found a digitally printed version in a stunning pattern that can be wiped off easily and replaced with minimal cost if anything terrible happened. In general, I find that children are better behaved than they get credit for and some simple rules like no markers outside of the playroom go a long way.

HOMEWORTHY: How do the farm’s surroundings influence the recipes you create – particularly the ones in your new book?

JOHN KANELL: I love using ingredients from my garden and keeping things seasonal but having two active boys, a business, and a farm to run has taught me the importance of quick streamlined recipes you can make with things you have on hand. I wanted to make a book that everyone could use to make delicious food no matter how little time they had. All the recipes have variations built in so you can use convenient tools like air fryers and slow cookers when appropriate as well as ingredient substitutions so you can really make recipes your own. 

HOMEWORTHY: Beyond the kitchen, what are some key elements of your home’s design that make it perfect for entertaining? How do you create a welcoming atmosphere for guests?

JOHN KANELL: We have a giant willow just off the kitchen garden with a lovely old teak table and chairs I found. In the summer we eat lunch and dinner there and it is the best place for a long casual meal with friends and family. When we have guests, I like to have pitchers of iced tea, homemade lemonade as well as a cocktail like margaritas so everyone has a welcome drink.

HOMEWORTHY: When planning a gathering, how do you approach designing your tablescape to complement the food you’re serving? Do you have any favorite themes or styles?

JOHN KANELL: We love collecting china and have gathered together an array of tablecloths, napkins, flatware, vases, etc. When it’s time to host I usually start with the season and whether it’s a day or evening meal to inform the color story. I choose a tablecloth then pull china, placemat, and napkin options and work from there until I find a combination I love. The finishing touch is of course the flowers, which I can sometimes cut from the garden season permitting!   

HOMEWORTHY: As someone who emphasizes recipes that are both practical and visually appealing, how do you balance aesthetics and functionality in your kitchen and dining areas?

JOHN KANELL: For me the dining area is about both aesthetics and functionality. A big table that can fit a lot of guests but also provides a place for my boys to do their homework. I love having fresh flowers on the table and honestly, it’s something that brightens everyone’s day when they pass by. We eat all our meals there, so to me it really feels like the center of the house. The kitchen is constantly humming, and I spend a good part of the day there, so I like to keep it looking nice. Fresh flowers when possible, beautiful cookbooks (including my own!), some small topiary plants and lots of copper all work together to create an inviting but functional environment.

HOMEWORTHY: What is your favorite dinner to serve when having guests over?

JOHN KANELL: Depends on the season but in the summer it’s my grilled sea bass with citrus relish (recipe in the new book), served with grilled veggies and a simple salad. and for dessert a pavlova or angel food cake. 

HOMEWORTHY: Do you prefer a formal tablescape, with name cards and fine China, or a more casual one?

JOHN KANELL: Both are great but I love a formal table with place cards, which I feel make the guest feel special.

HOMEWORTHY: What is a must-have in every tablescape?

JOHN KANELL: A centerpiece be it flowers fruit or anything that makes you happy.

HOMEWORTHY: The most memorable event you’ve hosted at home and why?

JOHN KANELL: A Christmas dinner where both of the grandmas made it out.

HOMEWORTHY: What kind of playlist do you have for a dinner party?

JOHN KANELL: Totally depends on the vibe, usually pretty relaxed.

HOMEWORTHY: Dream dinner party guest list?

JOHN KANELL: I would really just have all our family and friends together at the table. 

HOMEWORTHY: Easiest recipe to follow in your book?

JOHN KANELL: All of them but my favorite super-easy one is the Ice Cream Overnight Oats.

HOMEWORTHY: Go-to late night snack?

JOHN KANELL: Yogurt mixed with honey from our bees along with some toasted almonds and granola.

HOMEWORTHY: Biggest mistake people make in the kitchen that hinders their experience?

JOHN KANELL: Not being prepared, have your ingredients and tools at hand and read that recipe through before you start.