Police have launched an investigation after a woman was caught on camera walking away with a box full of langoustines from a Michelin-starred restaurant in Chelsea.
Elystan Street restaurant was preparing for a day's service on Tuesday morning when a box of seafood was taken from its porch.
The bizarre incident, which took place at around 8am, was captured on CCTV.
Footage shows a woman dressed in jeans and slippers pick up the white package - containing £200 worth of langoustines - and walk off with her head down.
Taking to Instagram, the restaurant posted the footage and called for the public to help identify the women to resolve the situation “quickly and fairly”.
“Our Elystan Street seafood delivery went missing this morning. The incident was captured on CCTV. If you recognise this woman or have any information, please get in touch,” the restaurant said.
“We’d like to resolve this quickly and fairly. DMs open.”
The restaurant’s owner and chef Phil Howard, who trained under Marco Pierre White, was less forgiving, and posted the clip to his own Instagram calling the person who took the “precious langoustines” a “low-life scum bag”.
He added: “Hope you rot in hell with your other hard working mates.”
The Metropolitan Police told The Standard it is currently investigating the reported theft.
A spokeswoman said: “The suspect stole produce, worth around £200 from outside the restaurant on Elystan Street at around 8am on Tuesday, 25 November.
“The victim reported to police on Wednesday, 26 November. Enquiries remain ongoing.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CAD 1601 of 26 November.
Sarah Rhone, Elystan Streets Operation Manager, told The Standard: “Phil Howard realised part of the seafood delivery was missing when he arrived at Elystan Street first thing.
“We looked back at the CCTV and saw the woman stealing the box. It seems as though they studied the wording on the box so they knew what was inside before lifting it up and walking off.”
The seafood was a key component to a star dish on the restaurant's menu - bisque and grilled extra-large Scottish langoustine with chili, spring onions, lemon zest and garlic.
Ms Rhone said: “We were unable to put langoustines on Elystan Streets menus yesterday which is frustrating.
“But the team managed it well and maintained a menu of delicious dishes and business levels remained the same.”
The restaurant hopes the woman can be identified so the full value of the stolen produce can be reimbursed.
Ms Rhone said: “This is really damaging to an independent business in what is already becoming an increasingly difficult climate.”
“Sadly this is not uncommon. Especially for people in Chelsea, you need to be aware that people are looking to steal.”
The missing delivery at Elystan Street is not an isolated incident, with restaurant owners across the capital reporting similar incidents.
This summer Richard Wilkins, who runs 104 Restaurant in Notting Hill, Kensington, said thieves had stolen produce 20 times in the past four years.
The chef said criminals had pinched an array of supplies including Scottish langoustines, butter, a stack of Coca Cola and even a food mincer.
Elystan Street is a one Michelin-starred restaurant, which serves contemporary takes on European dishes.
Mr Howard built up his reputation at Mayfair’s The Square, the two Michelin-starred restaurant, which he owned for 25 years.
He opened Elystan Street in 2016, and runs it alongside his other restaurants The Ledbury, Kitchen W8, Church Road, Perilla and Lorne.
