Brandon mourns loss of popular restaurateur

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This article was published 02/10/2023 (1076 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Members of the Brandon food and business community are in mourning following the sudden loss of Ben Hernandez, the owner of Benny’s Restaurant and Catering Services.

Hernandez, a respected figure in the local hospitality scene, unexpectedly passed away Friday morning at the age of 61, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, generosity and community support.

Hernandez’s family confirmed his passing through the Benny’s Restaurant Facebook page on Sunday afternoon, writing that the restaurant will remain closed until Wednesday as they take their time to grieve this “incredible” loss.

“Please bear with us as we navigate this difficult time and do our best to maintain the high standards that you’ve come to expect,” the statement reads.

While the cause of death isn’t known at this time, those who knew Hernandez remember him as an industry leader and a well-respected individual within the community more broadly.

“I remember meeting him for the first time ever in Remington’s [Seafood and Steakhouse], and Ben would always remember your name, whether you were a regular or a newcomer,” Howling Pro Inc. chief executive officer Dean Stewart told the Sun on Saturday.

“He instantly became friends with everyone. During good times and bad, we were always there for each other, like he was for many others.”

Reflecting on their 20-year friendship, Stewart emphasized the positive influence Hernandez had on him, noting, “Having a positive environment around you makes you more positive and more driven to be successful. Ben was an expert in providing high-level service and looking after clients, and it’s so true that if you offer a good product, your clients will look after you.”

Born in Colombia on Jan. 19, 1962, Hernandez arrived in Ontario when he was 15 years old and got his start in the food industry by working at a Greek restaurant.

After moving to Winnipeg, Hernandez started working as a banquet manager at the Westin (Fairmont) Hotel and some other chain hotels in the city.

It’s within this environment that Hernandez met his wife Debbie, with whom he would father two daughters.

Once he and the family moved to Brandon in 2001, Hernandez made his mark in the community through managing a variety of different high-profile restaurants, including Remington’s Seafood and Steakhouse and the city’s first Five Guys Burgers and Fries location.

Once Remington’s shut its doors, Hernandez took over The Green Olive restaurant at 612 Rosser Avenue and reopened it as Benny’s Restaurant in 2016.

Since then, Benny’s has been a staple of the downtown business scene, with its owner also endearing himself to the broader community through events and activities outside the restaurant.

“He gave back quietly through his volunteerism, supporting community events and donating to various causes,” Joe Beeverz Bar & Grill owner-operator Chad Wallin told the Sun on Saturday, stating that the camaraderie between him and Hernandez extended far beyond business competition.

“Ben and I always had a great relationship. We learned from each other and wanted each other to succeed. He was the first person I’d call if I needed help.”

Members of the Chez Angela Bakery and Café, located only a couple blocks away from Benny’s Restaurant, also expressed shock at the sudden loss of Hernandez, writing in a Saturday Facebook post that “Downtown felt different this morning, knowing there is a hole that can never be filled.”

In a follow-up message to the Sun, Chez Angela co-founder James Chambers characterized Hernandez as a major mentor figure that he and wife Angie looked up to constantly.

“He is one of the people that I try to model customer service after,” Chambers wrote. “He’s just someone you aspire to be like.”

The Benny’s Restaurant Facebook post announcing Hernandez’s death generated over 100 comments by Sunday late afternoon, with most of these posts featuring messages of support from friends, customers and former employees.

“I’m so sorry to all of you on this unexpected loss,” wrote user Amilee Lamb. “I will be forever grateful for the opportunity he gave me to work with him and the team! He was such a kindhearted, generous man.”

“He was such a pillar in the community,” wrote user Sam Panko. “He was the kindest most incredible boss I’ve ever had. He was so understanding and patient with me when I was struggling with my chronic illness. Rest easy Ben.”

On Sunday afternoon, the Sun briefly spoke with Hernandez’s daughter Natalie, who said that the family intends to keep the restaurant open for the foreseeable future to honour her dad’s memory.

“We’re going to continue to do what we can to honour his commitments and we’ll go from there,” she said over the phone. “We’re going to do our best to run it like he would.”

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