Recently, the culinary community found itself reeling from an unusual theft: 2,500 pies destined for distribution at York's Christmas Market were stolen from Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks. The van, filled to the brim with various concoctions including steak and ale pies, turkey and cranberry pies, and even butternut squash pies, was taken from Barker Business Park, where it had been parked overnight, awaiting its morning delivery.
On the morning of the theft, Banks discovered the unfortunate news when his business partner, Matthew Lockwood, attempted to pick up the refrigerated vehicle on December 2. "It’s absolutely gutting for the team because it’s days and days of work gone," Banks lamented, noting the stolen goods were valued at around £25,000.
According to Banks, the pies represented nearly a week's worth of stock for his pop-up stall at the Christmas market, and losing them felt like not just losing inventory but the heart of his team's labor. "Vans can be replaced through insurance, but all the work and ingredients are just gone," he explained.
Speculating about the fate of the vanished pies, Banks expressed concern, stating, "What are they going to do with them? Are they just going to dump them somewhere? It’s just such a waste. That’s thousands of meals gone to waste for no reason." His worry was highlighted by his desire to see the food pass onto those who need it, particularly as the holiday season approached.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed they were informed of the theft and have been appealing for anyone with information to come forward. Meanwhile, Banks took to social media, utilizing platforms like Instagram to reach out to the perpetrators directly. He implored them on video, urging them to "do the right thing" and donate the pies to community centers or food banks so they wouldn’t just go to waste.
“I know they are gone now and we’re not going to get them back to sell again; I just think it’s appalling what’s happened,” Banks added. With empathy, he reasoned, “That’s 2,500 people we could feed right now, and many of those need hot meals.”
To mitigate the repercussions of the theft, Banks mentioned the team had quickly rallied to create something new: a limited-edition pie called the "Bandit Butter Chicken Pie," humorously referencing their unfortunate situation and to keep spirits up during this chaotic time.
Tommy Banks, who has earned accolades for his culinary establishments including The Black Swan at Oldstead and Roots, expressed his determination to overcome this setback. With passion for where his food is sourced, the chef emphasized the importance of sustainability, and lamented the spotlight on wastefulness his business was unfortunately becoming part of.
"It’s horrible to be robbed, especially of so much food," he remarked, adding the pain of seeing several weeks of effort dashed. Banks has become well-known not just for his culinary prowess, having appeared as a judge on BBC’s The Great British Menu, but also for his innovative approaches to sustainable gastronomy. Having been awarded two Michelin stars, it’s no wonder his pies are crafted with care using local ingredients and substantial effort, cementing his reputation as one of the top chefs by the Michelin guide.
Since the theft, the support by the community has been overwhelming. Fellow chefs and food lovers have expressed their sympathy and outrage via social media, voicing their support for Banks by condemning the actions of the thieves. Supporters have chimed in with sentiments like, "Absolutely disgusting individuals responsible for this!" and suggestions on increasing the visibility of the stolen van’s details to help catch those responsible.
Reflecting on the situation, Banks mentioned the emotional aspect behind the loss of the pies. Freely admitting he is less worried about the physical loss of the van itself and more devastated by the loss of his team's hard work and the food meant for the community.
Despite this distressing event, hope remains as Banks plans to replenish his stock and continue to serve local patrons through his pie shop. "We have enough to get through today and we're just working like crazy to make more," he stated optimistically. He is hopeful his team can restore operations quickly and continue to spread happiness through food during this festive season.
This incident brings to light not just the challenges of running a successful culinary business but also the intricacies involved with food waste. Chef Tommy Banks’s appeal to the thieves to reconsider their actions reflects not only his character but uplifts the community’s spirit, reminding everyone about the joy of sharing food during the holidays. The question now remains, will the perpetrators heed his call for compassion, or will the pies become just another sad story of what could have been?
Tommy Banks’s pie shop will be continuing its holiday offerings, including the famous limited-edition pie inspired by their unfortunate theft, as they embody resilience, creativity, and community goodwill during this festive season.
