about us

A FAMILY OWNED ITALIAN RESTAURANT!
Originally, the Italian Kitchen began at the East Side Improvement Club on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester. At that time, Chubby Panarelli, our grandfather, began making homemade Italian sausage with his longtime friend and fellow cook, Umbie Urella. The great demand for their creation formed a need to expand and the first Italian Kitchen began at 172 Shrewsbury St. Later it was moved across the street where it remained for 35 years. It was there that almost every family member for 3 generations, including our mother at the age of 17, got to taste the great food and learn all facets of a family owned and operated restaurant. Then, in 1987, Carmella had an opportunity to open her own restaurant here in Brookfield. Carmella's Italian Kitchen won The Entertainment Book's ''Best Ethnic Restaurant'' award in 1998 and Worcester Magazine's ''Best Restaurant Outside the City'' award in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007. After all these years, we still pride ourselves with ''mother's homemade taste and style.''