The owner of a prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant in central London has described his devastation after a brazen thief made off with £800 worth of high-quality meat from a delivery outside his venue.
Targeted Theft Captured on Camera
The incident occurred in the run-up to Christmas, a period Chris Galvin, owner of Galvin La Chapelle on Bishopsgate, called the "busiest and most crucial" for the hospitality sector. CCTV footage apparently shows a woman, with her hair in a bun and wearing a cream hoodie with black and white trainers, rifling through the restaurant's delivery and taking packages of meat.
Galvin emphasised the stolen items were not ordinary groceries. "This is high-quality, premium meat," he stated. "These are items that simply don't end up in someone's home kitchen, which raises serious concerns that this theft may be feeding into other restaurants."
Industry-Wide Concern and a Second Incident
The theft at Galvin La Chapelle came to light shortly after another high-end London restaurant was targeted. At Elystan Street in Chelsea, a woman was purportedly caught on camera stealing a box of langoustines worth around £200 from the doorstep.
Owner and chef Phil Howard shared the footage on Instagram last week, with a furious post calling the culprit a "low-life scumbag". Howard later praised the "incredible" response and solidarity from others in the hospitality industry following the incident.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is investigating the theft from Galvin La Chapelle. A spokesperson said it was too early in the inquiry to determine if the two incidents are connected.
Pressure on Hospitality During Festive Season
Chris Galvin highlighted the added strain such crimes place on a sector already under immense pressure. "It's disheartening to face targeted behaviour like this," he said. He expressed hope that by publicising the crime, other venues might be protected from becoming victims.
The thefts represent a significant financial blow and operational disruption, especially during the critical festive trading period when premium ingredients are essential for menus. The police investigation continues as restaurant owners remain on alert.
