Christmas Plea from Chef after $30K Worth of Pies Stolen
A Crumby Situation
It was a devastating blow for chef Tommy Banks when his van containing $30,000 worth of pies was stolen. But instead of being bitter, Banks has made a heartfelt appeal to the thieves to donate the stolen pies to those in need.
A Michelin-Starred Chef’s Plea
“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 said in an Instagram video Monday, shortly after they were taken.
The Stolen Goods
The refrigerated van was filled with 2,500 pies with a variety of fillings, including steak and ale, turkey and butternut squash, Banks said. The van was parked in a business park in Ripon, a cathedral city in northern Britain, and was plugged in overnight to keep the pies fresh.
Planned Pop-Up Sale
Banks had planned to sell the pies at a pop-up stall in the nearby city of York. Admitting that it was unlikely the thieves would return the vehicle, he urged them to “drop the pies off somewhere” so they can be given “to people who need food and they are not wasted.”
A Kind Gesture
“I know they’ve gone now and we obviously aren’t going to recover them to sell them,” he added. “I just think that’s 2,500 people we could feed and there’s a lot of people who could do with a hot meal right now. If we can find them, they can have them.”
A Warning to the Public
Banks asked any members of the public who are offered pies with his branding from someone who is not him to report them to the police.
A Less Forgiving Message
However, he had a less forgiving message for the thieves themselves. “I hope you don’t get any presents this Christmas,” he said in a separate post on his personal and business Instagram accounts.
Conclusion
Banks’ kind gesture has sparked a positive response, with many people praising his selfless act. It remains to be seen whether the thieves will take him up on his offer, but in the meantime, the chef’s message has spread far and wide, inspiring others to do good during the holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where did the pies go missing from?
A: The pies were stolen from a business park in Ripon, a cathedral city in northern Britain.
Q: What kind of pies were stolen?
A: The van was filled with 2,500 pies with a variety of fillings, including steak and ale, turkey and butternut squash.
Q: What did the chef say to the thieves?
A: Banks appealed to the thieves to donate the stolen pies to those in need, saying “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.”
