Michelin-starred chef appeals to thieves after £25,000 in pies stolen
He urged the thieves to drop the pies somewhere such as a community centre.
LONDON - A British Michelin-starred chef has appealed to thieves who stole his van with 2,500 pies inside to "do the right thing” and drop them somewhere so people in need can have them.
Tommy Banks, who owns two restaurants and a pub in North Yorkshire, posted on Instagram on Monday morning to say his van with £25,000 (US$31,622) of stock in the back had been taken, reported PA Media/dpa news.
Banks said in the video the stock was for York Christmas Market.
He urged the thieves to drop the pies somewhere such as a community centre, adding "I know you’re a criminal, but maybe just do something nice because it’s Christmas and maybe we can feed a few thousand people with these pies that you’ve stolen, do the right thing.”
Banks also asked anyone who is offered pies from someone who is not him to report them to the police.
North Yorkshire Police said it had been informed of the theft and asked anyone with information to get in touch, the BBC reported.
Banks’s video contained the caption: "So @matthewalockwood went into @madeinoldstead this morning to pick up the van and it has been stolen.
"These guys had loaded up the van with stock for @tommyspieshop today and left plugged in overnight.
"I’m guessing the thieves didn’t realise they were stealing 2,500 pies along with the van! The pies are all in boxes with my name on so not very easy to sell.
"If you are the thieves and read this I urge you to drop the pies off somewhere. So we can at least give them to people who need food and they are not wasted.” - BERNAMA-dpa-AFX
