09/06/2026
With great sadness, we’re posting a personal message to commemorate our friend and colleague Richard Stevens, who passed away recently following a short illness.
If you dined with us in the 2010’s or were part of Chester’s hospitality scene in any way, you will undoubtedly remember Richard from our original restaurant, Joseph Benjamin. Richard joined us as restaurant manager in 2009 as part of our tiny team - long before Porta had even been thought of - and has worked with us for 16 years.
Richard was an indispensable colleague, right-hand man and confidant who had hospitality running through his veins, his food and drink knowledge was phenomenal, and he was an inspiration to the team.
In 2021, after 12 years as manager of Joseph Benjamin, Richard hung up his apron and bottle opener to take a management role at the Royal Mail, but continued to work with us in a part time capacity helping us with our bookkeeping and accounts.
Those early days of working together in the 2010’s were pre-social-media and apparently pre taking any photographs whatsoever. We worked extremely hard, but we also have very fond (if hazy) memories of excellent team research trips to London that ended inevitably at 5am in Fabric nightclub, and also of sessions drinking serious red Bordeaux WAY beyond our budgets. Them were the days.
Sending all our love to his amazing family.
Rest in peace, Rich - I hope the wine list is good.
Ben & Joe
