Co-founder of Pump Street Chocolate dies

Christopher Brennan, co-founder and chairman of Pump Street Chocolate and Pump Street Bakery, has died.

Brennan was born in Jamaica in 1944 and was a former boy scout. After studying chemistry at the University of the West Indies, he was recruited by IBM and later became general manager of IBM Bahamas.

Following a fateful trip to Paris in 2008 Brennan became an avid baker, and took numerous courses and stages at bakeries before baking for the Orford Country Market, which was raising funds to build an enclosure around Orford Primary School.

In 2010, Brennan and daughter Joanna opened One Pump Street bakery and café with the support of head baker Andy O’Farrell and later pastry chef Maxine Clements and baker David Bailey.

In 2012, the team started making craft chocolate within its pastry section and in 2017 acquired an old military vehicle record-keeping building at Bentwaters Parks in Rendlesham to support the expanded chocolate business, which operates as Pump Street Chocolate.

Pump Street Chocolate supplies several hospitality brands, including Murano London, Fallow, WatchHouse and Granger & Co.  

In a post on Instagram, Pump Street Chocolate wrote: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Christopher Brennan, co-founder and chairman of Pump Street.

“Chris was a lifelong learner, entrepreneur, craftsman and mentor. At Pump Street, he put his self-taught expertise in baking and chocolate making to use to build from scratch not just a bakery and a chocolate business but an enduring legacy committed to tradition, innovation, quality and traceability.

“His curiosity, generosity and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped not only our business, but the lives of countless people who worked alongside him. We will miss him deeply.”

Industry pays tribute

Chef Ravneet Gill, founder of Gina’s in Chingford, said: “This is such sad news. I loved listening to Chris talk so passionately about ice cream plans, chocolate making and so much more. He was incredibly inspiring and I feel grateful to have spent a little pocket of time with you guys years back. I’ll never forget it.”

The Michelin-starred Sportsman in Kent also commented: “Very sad to hear this. Such a kind and inspiring man with so many talents! Our thoughts are with you all.” 

Please send your tributes to Christopher Brennan to jungmin.seo@thecaterer.com.