A British celebrity chef has stolen a van containing 2,500 meat pies worth around 30,000 euros. He called on the thieves to bring back the food. The police eventually found the vehicle after a few days, but things did not end well with the cakes.
Tommy Banks (owner of two Michelin-starred restaurants) had his van stolen from his property in Melmerby, near Ripon, last weekend. The cakes stored there are said to have been sold at a Christmas market in York.
Call on Instagram
In a video on Instagram, Banks called on the criminals to at least return the food. ‘I know you’re criminals, but maybe you’ll just do something nice, because it’s Christmas and maybe we can feed a few thousand people with the cakes you stole. Do the right thing,” Banks urged.
Van completely broken down
On Wednesday, police said the van was found abandoned and with fake license plates. In an Instagram post, Banks, whose restaurants include the Michelin-starred Black Swan in Oldstead, said: “The van has been found – and the pies.” But once the forensic investigation is complete, the only option left for the car is to scrap it.
Cakes are no longer edible
“If you look at the van, it’s almost certainly a total loss, it’s pretty badly damaged,” Banks said. And the hope that the cakes would at least still be edible was not fulfilled. “Unfortunately they were in the back and all the cakes were also quite damaged. Frankly, the whole thing is a total loss, which is a real shame. There’s just so much trash and just rubbish.”
After the car was found, Banks thanked the public and other business owners for their support, including lending him vans and helping with cakes.
The star chef opened “Tommy’s Pie Shop” at the York Christmas market this year. Despite the theft, the team managed to keep the pie shop open. Police are investigating and asking the public for help.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
