Brothers’ restaurant venture tastes success

Apr 4 2008 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

Brothers’ restaurant venture tastes success

A SMALL Chester restaurant with only 18 covers has scooped four awards at the 2008 Chester Food and Drink Festival.

Joseph Benjamin in Northgate Street was named Best Small Restaurant of the Year, won a silver award for Best Café/Sandwich Bar and Excellence in Customer Service and won Best Cheese Board. The restaurant was also nominated for Local Produce Shop of the Year.

Joe’s cheese board included Crabtree from Malpas, a Shropshire Blue, Kidderton goat and potted Cheshire cheese, all served with his homemade chutneys.

Opened by brothers Ben Wright, 28, and chef Joe Wright, 26, in 2006, the restaurant offers lunch six days a week (closed Monday), dinner from Thursday to Saturday and a delicatessen serving coffees, teas, homemade cakes and light snacks.

Ben said: “We were really pleased to be nominated for four awards this year and for winning Best Small Restaurant.

“It’s absolutely fantastic for all of the staff at Joseph Benjamin. It’s just been a fantastic first 18 months in business.”