The Van Koki Bintang Michelin Car Was Stolen, Containing 2,500 Pieces To Take To The York Christmas Market

York Christmas Market 2023. (Wikimedia Commons/Malcolmxl5)

JAKARTA - The thief in northern England may not have known that the van he tied contained a Michelin-star chef's dish with a distinctive characteristic as he was going to one of the year's festivals to welcome Christmas in the country.

Van who brought around 2,500 pies worth around 25,000 pounds (Rp504,042,750). The pie was made by Michelin-star chef Tommy Banks.

Pie-pie was loaded into the van and ready to be sent to the York Christmas Market, when the car was stolen, Banks said Monday.

"We have been robbed," Banks said in a video posted on Instagram, quoted from CNN December 5.

"One place out there is our van and almost a ton of pie with my name written on it," he continued.

Banks is not just a chef. He has a Michelin The Black Swan star pub in Oldstead and other food businesses in northern England.

"They may not bid on almost a ton of pie on the back (of the van)," he said.

He then spoke directly to the thieves if they watched the video.

"You can't do anything with these pieces because my name is listed there," he said, before asking them to put food somewhere, such as a community center.

"I know you're a criminal, but maybe do something good because it's Christmas and maybe we can feed a few thousand people with the pieces you steal. Do the right thing," Banks added.

The chef also wrote a statement next to the video.

"All the pies are in a box with my name, so it's not easy to sell them. If you're a thief and read this, I urge you to put those pies somewhere. So, at least we can give them to people who need food and don't waste it," he said.

"I also think you're an annoying thief and I hope you don't get any prizes this Christmas," Banks said.

On Tuesday, Banks posted an update on Instagram Stories telling followers the police were confident they had found a van with a fake number plate.

"The condition of the pie and its whereabouts is still unknown," he added.

In a statement published Tuesday, the North Yorkshire Police confirmed the vehicle was "discovered abandoned with a fake number plate."

"Investigations are ongoing over the theft and anyone with information is asked to contact," the statement read.

Citing Teesside Live, York Christmas Market has been hailed as the most popular and most sought-after Christmas market in the UK.

The annual event is located at 4-6 Parliament Street. This year, the York Christmas Market will be held on November 14 - December 22.

The market has beaten other markets across the country, including Edinburgh and London's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, in terms of visitors' interest.

York Christmas Market itself is a Christmas market that won awards, quoted from the Visit York site.

This market offers a variety of local handicrafts, handicraft products and delicious seasonal food. 80 percent of the cyclists here come from Yorkshire.

York itself offers a memorable Christmas experience with restaurants, shops and tourist attractions decorated beautifully and a lively event.