Written by Barbara Houle for the Worcester T&G. Full article can be found here.

Executive chef Allen Granberg opened Bella's Bistro in Putnam, Conn., as a BYOB small bistro in 2009. Five years later, the business expanded to include a full bar and lounge/functional space.

The continued popularity and success of the restaurant is a reflection of the chef's culinary creativity. 

Granberg, who grew up in Northern Virginia, earned his culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University in Providence. He received his master's degree at ICIF in Italy, and studied under a three-star Michelin chef in Torino. Before opening Bella's, he was the chef at The Restaurant at Union Station in Worcester and Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton.

He has garnered awards during his career, including Bella's Bistro recently being voted best Italian (food) in Northeastern Connecticut by readers of Norwich magazine.

Granberg for the fourth year in a row also recently won the People's Choice Award at the Tastes of The Last Green Valley event, a collaboration of local farms and creative local chefs. He also took home a People's Choice Award at a Worcester's Best Chef competition and participates in the annual Central Massachusetts March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction in Worcester.

Granberg is a chef who changes his menus seasonally to take full advantage of fresh in-season ingredients.