LONDON (AP) — A British chef has made a heartfelt plea to the thieves who recently stole a van loaded with 2,500 delicious pies, asking them to “do the right thing” and donate the stolen goods to those in need.
Tommy Banks, who operates two Michelin-starred restaurants and a pub in Yorkshire, revealed that a staff member discovered the van was missing, along with its valuable cargo of steak and ale, as well as turkey and butternut squash pies, all meant for a Christmas market in York. The total value of the food amounts to 25,000 pounds (approximately $32,000).
Although Banks noted that the van is insured, he strongly urged the thieves not to let the pies go to waste. In an emotional Instagram video, he encouraged them to consider dropping the pies off at a local community center or similar place where they could help others.
“I understand you may be engaged in criminal activity, but perhaps you could do something kind this Christmas,” Banks said. “These pies could help feed thousands of people who are struggling. Please, do the right thing.”
This incident is not an isolated one; there has been a recent spate of thefts targeting artisanal food items in the U.K. Just last October, an elaborate heist saw approximately 1,000 wheels of handcrafted cheddar cheese—totaling a weight of 22 metric tons (48,488 pounds) and valued at 300,000 pounds ($390,000)—vanish from London’s Neal’s Yard Dairy. The theft was executed by a con artist who impersonated a wholesale distributor for a major French retailer.
Despite the combined efforts of British and international law enforcement, as well as an appeal from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, the stolen cheese has yet to be recovered. Authorities arrested a 63-year-old suspect and questioned him, but no charges have been filed.
