News

Stuart, aged 53, died suddenly on Monday November 25th.

Georg Weber, chief executive of MKN, said: “It is with great sadness and deep regret that MKN announces the death of Stuart Brereton.

“He was a well-loved and longstanding member of the MKN family for 17 years, and a mainstay of the foodservice industry throughout his career. Described as a ‘giant of a man’, ‘warrior’ and ‘absolute rock’ by friends, he was known throughout the sector for his wit and laid-back smile.

“His death has left a huge hole, and he will be fondly remembered by many who had the privilege of working with him. The wider catering industry will be poorer for his passing.”

After gaining an HND in catering at Blackpool & Fylde College in the early 1990s, beginning his career with brewery and retail catering experience, before joining Masterfoods from 1999-2001.

In 2001 he joined catering magazine publisher and events company Dewberry Boyes (now Dewberry Redpoint), where his wide-ranging industry contacts were forged.

He then joined MKN in 2008 and had worked for them ever since.

Georg Weber added: “Equally relaxed with business tycoons, catering distributors, Michelin chefs and school cooks, his style put everybody at ease.

“He was a regular chef and demonstrator at worldwide exhibitions and judged industry competitions, including LACA SCOTY (School Chef of the Year), in his capacity as Public Sector Manager for MKN.

“Stu B, as he was fondly known, lived life with a ‘glass half-full’ mentality and treated everyone as an equal. A love of travel, food cultures, golf and football meant he was never short of a good story. A loving husband, a proud father, a family man and one of the ‘brothers Brereton’ clan.

“The MKN family has lost a great friend who will be deeply missed and never forgotten. The thoughts and prayers of everybody at MKN are with his family at this sad time.”