A Michelin-star chef is calling on thieves to embrace the spirit of giving this Christmas.
Tommy Banks, a well-known restaurateur from England, took to Instagram to share the unfortunate news that a van filled with 2,500 pies, valued at over $30,000, was stolen right before the holiday season.
“We’ve been robbed,” Banks said, explaining that the pies were intended for a festive market. “Nearly a ton of pies with my name on them is now somewhere in northern England.”
The chef, who owns several restaurants in York, expressed his frustration about the theft. However, he noted that the thieves might not have expected to find such a large quantity of pies in the van. “It’s horrible to be robbed,” he admitted, but added that it’s sad to think about all the ingredients and effort that went into making them: “That’s a lot of meat, flour, eggs, and hard work.”
Banks recorded a video addressing not only his followers but also the thieves, hoping they might see it. He said, “They’re likely driving around with boxes of pies stamped with my name, so they might be curious about who I am.”
In a heartfelt plea to the robbers, Banks suggested they could not profit from the pies due to the labeling. He urged them to drop the pies off at a local community center where people in need could benefit from them. “I know you’ve committed a crime, but perhaps you could do something kind because it’s Christmas,” he said. “We could feed thousands with these pies you’ve taken. Please do the right thing.”
In a follow-up post, Banks updated his followers that the local police believe they have located the stolen van, which has fake license plates. However, he mentioned that there was no information yet about the condition or location of the pies.
