MKN sales manager Stuart Brereton has died suddenly

Stuart Brereton, MKN’s regional and public sector sales manager, passed away suddenly on Monday 25 November.

He was a well-loved and longstanding member of the cooking equipment manufacturer’s 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.

Brereton’s career began with brewery and retail catering experience, including as national account manager at Masterfoods, before working with Dewberry Boyes (now Dewberry Redpoint), where his wide-ranging industry contacts were forged.

After 14 years with MKN as regional sales manager, Brereton also added public sector sales manager to his role, as the manufacturer sought to build on its success in the education and healthcare sectors.

MKN chief executive Georg Weber said: “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.

“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 School Chef of the Year, in his capacity as public sector manager for MKN.”

Weber paid further tribute, adding: “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.”