A service will be held tomorrow (19 May) to celebrate the life of Steve Wells, founder of Brook Food & Bakery Equipment, who recently passed away.
The Somerset-based equipment supplier said it will host the service, titled ‘The F-Word’, from noon followed by a gathering with coffee and cake.
Former chef Wells founded Brook over 30 years ago, growing it to operate a main premises in Williton, Somerset.
“Steve built Brook from the ground up,” read a post on the company’s LinkedIn page. “His vision, dedication, and character shaped not only the business but also the people within it. He will be greatly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.”
As attributed to Wells, the ethos of the business is: “We make friends in the bakery industry, and we’re there when our friends need us”.
Steve’s wife and business partner, Ann Wells, also provided comments via the company’s page, saying she was “heartbroken and lost, but surrounded by love and support”. She paid tribute to her late husband, giving acknowledgement to his very unique – “and, often for me infuriating” – sense of humour. “His dry wit, sarcasm, and quick tongue were always there, and so many of you will know him for this,” she said.
“Steve built Brook from nothing in 1994, and it was his baby,” added Ann. “Together, he and I were determined and driven to do something different, and we are very proud of what it has become.”
Whilst closing for the day of the service, Brook assured customers and suppliers that it remains open and operating as usual.
Tributes to Wells poured in from across the UK baking industry. Among them was Britain’s Best Loaf 2024 winner Tom Martin, who noted Steve had been incredibly supportive in helping him make the plunge with his new bakery business Peak & Stone in Chesterfield. “Not just a massive loss for our industry but a massive loss of a friend and longtime collaborator,” added Martin.
Peter Cooks Bread founder Peter Doughty-Cook noted that Wells “did so much to support the industry and bring bakers together”, American Pan UK director of sales Steven Eaton described him as “a great honourable man”; while David Woods Baking NPD manager William Leet said “he will be greatly missed”.
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