A British chef’s plea for the return of a stolen van filled with pies ended in disappointment when the vehicle was found, but its contents were ruined.
Tommy Banks, a British chef known for his two Michelin-starred restaurants in Yorkshire, faced a significant setback when his van, loaded with 2,500 pies, was stolen. These pies, including flavors such as steak and ale, and turkey and butternut squash, were meant for a Christmas market in York. Valued at £25,000 ($32,000), the theft represented a substantial loss.
In an attempt to salvage the situation, Banks took to Instagram, urging the thieves to bring the pies to a community center or similar venue rather than letting them go to waste. Unfortunately, despite his public appeal, the van was later found abandoned in Middlesbrough, approximately 30 miles from where it was taken. The savory goods inside were deemed irreparable and had to be discarded.
Expressing his disappointment, Banks stated, “It’s just so much waste. It’s just rubbish. Sorry, it’s not a happier ending to this story.” His words highlighted the frustration and helplessness felt in the wake of the theft, which resulted in unavoidable food waste.
This incident is part of a broader trend of thefts targeting artisanal food items in the UK. A recent case involved the disappearance of nearly 1,000 wheels of artisanal cheddar from London’s Neal’s Yard Dairy. Despite efforts by British and international police, the cheese, valued at £300,000 ($390,000), remains missing. This string of incidents has raised concerns about the security measures in place for transporting high-value food products.
The recovery of the stolen van containing Tommy Banks’ pies, unfortunately too damaged to be recovered, underscores the challenges faced by the artisanal food industry. As thefts of high-value goods continue, it is clear that more robust security measures are needed to protect these valuable items while in transit.
Source: Local10
