A stolen van containing 2,500 pies from Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks was found abandoned, with the pies unsalvageable.

A British chef’s appeal to retrieve 2,500 pies from a stolen van ended in disappointment as the van was recovered but its contents were too damaged to be of use. The incident involved chef Tommy Banks, who is known for his two Michelin-starred establishments in Yorkshire. His team discovered that the van, loaded with steak and ale, turkey, and butternut squash pies destined for a Christmas market in York, had been stolen. These pies were valued at £25,000 ($32,000).

The theft took place in Yorkshire, and despite the van being insured, Banks pleaded with the thieves to at least drop the pies at a community center, highlighting the potential waste of food. He shared his plea on Instagram, urging the culprits to ‘do the right thing.’ However, the situation took a turn for the worse when the van was found in Middlesbrough, approximately 30 miles from the original theft location. Unfortunately, the pies remained inside but were too wrecked to save, leading Banks to express his frustration over the waste, noting that it was merely ‘rubbish’ now.

This pie incident adds to the recent trend of food-related thefts in the UK. Previously, in October, a con artist stole nearly 1,000 wheels of artisanal cheddar from London’s Neal’s Yard Dairy, posing as a wholesaler for a French retailer. Despite widespread police efforts and public appeals, the cheese has not been recovered. A 63-year-old man was arrested in connection to this theft but was not charged.

These incidents highlight a growing concern within the UK’s food industry regarding the security of artisanal products, which often hold substantial value. The aftermath of Banks’ experience reflects the broader impact such crimes can have on small businesses and the food market, not just in terms of financial loss but also in wasted resources.

The recovery of the van loaded with pies brings to light issues of food security and wastage within the UK. Such thefts not only result in economic loss for businesses but also lead to unnecessary waste, stressing the need for better protection measures for valuable food consignments.

Source: Apnews