A TOP York chef has appealed to thieves who stole his van with 2,500 pies inside to “do the right thing”.
Tommy Banks got his first Michelin star at the age of 24 and owns three restaurants in York and North Yorkshire - The Black Swan at Oldstead, Roots in Marygate in York, and The Abbey Inn, Byland.
He appealed to the thieves to drop them somewhere so people in need can have them when he posted on Instagram on Monday (December 2) to say his van with £25,000 of stock in the back had been taken from just outside Ripon.
Mr Banks said in the video that the stock – including steak and ale, turkey and butternut squash pies, as well as gravy and custard – was for his stall on York Christmas Market.
He urged the thieves to drop the pies somewhere such as a community centre, adding “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”.
YOU’LL FIND MORE ON THIS STORY AND OTHERS AT www.yorkpressd.co.uk OR PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THE NEWSPAPER ITSELF AVAILABLE SIX DAYS A WEEK AT YOUR LOCAL NEWSAGENT

Mayor Skaith's 10-year plan for York and North Yorkshire
The first headline act has been announced for the Live at York Museum Gardens concert series in 2026.
Yorkshire Carer Speaks Out on Being Underpaid
Adult stuck in baby swing in popular York park
MORE than 10,000 people will be pounding the pavements when they take on the Altra Yorkshire Marathon 2025 this weekend
York Marina at Naburn wins five Gold Anchor Award
Love Island’s Harrison Solomon Set to Appear at Flares York This Friday


