Missing Pies, a Christmas Miracle?
A Plea from a Michelin-Starred Chef
It was a tough break for chef Tommy Banks when his van containing $30,000 worth of pies was stolen. However, the Michelin-starred chef has taken the high road, appealing to the thieves to donate the pies to those in need.
A Call to Action
In an Instagram video, Banks made a heartfelt appeal to the thieves, saying, "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."
The Missing Pies
The refrigerated van was filled with 2,500 pies, featuring a variety of fillings, including steak and ale, turkey and butternut squash. The van was stolen from a business park in Ripon, a cathedral city in northern Britain, while staff were collecting it.
A Pop-Up Stall in York
Banks had planned to sell the pies at a pop-up stall in the nearby city of York. However, with the van stolen, the chef is left with a large quantity of pies that are unlikely to be recovered.
A Plea to the Thieves
Admitting that it was unlikely the thieves would return the vehicle, Banks asked them to "drop the pies off somewhere" so they can be given to people who need food and are not wasted. "I know they’ve gone now and we obviously aren’t going to recover them to sell them," he said. "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. NBC News has contacted North Yorkshire Police for comment.
A Christmas Message to the Thieves
Banks had a less forgiving message for the thieves, stating, "I hope you don’t get any presents this Christmas."
Conclusion
As the holiday season approaches, chef Tommy Banks’ plea to the thieves to donate the stolen pies is a heartwarming gesture, showing that even in the face of adversity, kindness and compassion can prevail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where did the van containing the stolen pies go?
A: The van was stolen from a business park in Ripon, a cathedral city in northern Britain.
Q: How many pies were stolen?
A: 2,500 pies were stolen, featuring a variety of fillings.
Q: What was the estimated value of the stolen pies?
A: The stolen pies were worth $30,000.
Q: What is the chef’s plan to recover the stolen pies?
A: The chef, Tommy Banks, has asked the thieves to donate the pies to those in need, and has also asked the public to report any stolen pies with his branding to the police.
