Ep 5. Thanksgiving Thievery

The episode Thanksgiving Thievery is the fifth episode of the eighth season of the popular show Mystery Diners. In this episode, the hidden cameras and secret diners are called in to investigate a family-owned catering company in San Diego, California.

The owners of the catering company have noticed an alarming trend in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. They have been receiving phone calls from customers complaining that their turkey dinners are missing key items such as stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce. The owners suspect that someone on their staff is stealing the holiday fixings and they want to find out who before Thanksgiving Day arrives.

Charles Stiles, the host of Mystery Diners, sends in two of his secret diners to work at the catering company as temporary employees. The diners, a man and a woman, are tasked with working in different areas of the company to see if they can uncover any clues about the missing food items. One diner works in the kitchen, while the other works in the front office handling customer orders.

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that there are multiple suspects in the case. The kitchen worker quickly discovers that the head chef of the company is not only stealing food items but is also driving up the costs of ingredients by double ordering certain items. The chef is caught on camera sneaking food into his car, and the Mystery Diners decide to confront him.

The front office worker discovers that the customer service representative at the catering company is responsible for many of the missing food items. She is caught on camera pocketing tips meant for the delivery drivers and using the money to buy personal items such as makeup and clothes. The Mystery Diners confront her about her actions and she is immediately fired.

In addition to these two suspects, the Mystery Diners uncover other employees who are taking advantage of the company. One driver is found selling the turkey dinners on the side to make extra money, and a server is caught stealing alcohol from the company's inventory.

The owners of the catering company are shocked by the revelations and are grateful to the Mystery Diners for uncovering the truth. They take swift action to fire the employees and put stricter policies in place to prevent this type of theft from happening in the future.

Overall, the episode Thanksgiving Thievery is a thrilling look into the world of small business owners and the struggles they face in trying to run a successful company. The Mystery Diners do an excellent job of uncovering the truth and helping the owners get back on track. It is a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone interested in the fascinating world of restaurant and catering management.