(London) A British chef has urged thieves who stole a van with 2,500 savory tarts inside to “do the right thing” and donate the edible loot to people in need.
Posted at 7:34 a.m.
Tommy Banks, who owns two Michelin-starred restaurants and a pub in the northern English county of Yorkshire, said a member of staff discovered the van was missing, along with its cargo of steak and beer. , turkey and butternut squash pies which were destined for a Christmas market in the city of York. The food was valued at 25,000 pounds (over $44,000).
Mr Banks said the van was insured, but he implored the vehicle thieves not to let the food go to waste.
In an Instagram video, he suggested dropping off the pies at a community center or other location.
“I know you’re a criminal, but maybe do something nice because it’s Christmas and maybe we can feed a few thousand people with those pies you stole.” Do the right thing,” he argued.
This is another artisan food theft to shake up the UK food trade. In October, nearly 1,000 cloth-wrapped wheels of artisan cheddar weighing 22 tonnes (48,488 pounds) and valued at 300,000 pounds ($533,000) were stolen from London’s Neal’s Yard dairy by a crook posing as a wholesaler for a large French retailer.
Despite a hunt by British and international police – and an appeal from chef Jamie Oliver on television – the cheese was not found. A 63-year-old man was arrested and questioned by police, but has not been charged.
