Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen's custom cooker stolen

A facility owned by local chef Ashley Christensen was broken into Wednesday night.

Christensen said via social media that thousands of dollars of damage was done during the break-in and a custom cooker was stolen.

"This was a gift from one of my mentors, Nick Pihakis, in celebration of us winning the James Beard Award. Though it’s one of a kind, we have insurance," Christensen wrote.

Christensen won the James Beard Award, the culinary equivalent to an Oscar, in 2014.

Christensen posted a photo of the cooker, which she uses mostly for charitable events, and asked people to be on the lookout for it.

"I dare you drive this cooker down the road, or break it out at a party," she wrote.

On Thursday afternoon, Christensen said in a statement that she was grateful for the public's help in searching for the stolen cooker.

"We are blown away by the help that the community (near and far) has given us in spreading the word," she said.

The photo she posted of the stolen cooker had garnered more than 1100 shares on Facebook by Thursday afternoon.

Anyone with information about the theft should contact Raleigh police.

Christensen owns Poole's Diner, Beasley's Chicken and Honey, Fox Liquor Bar, Chuck's, Joule Coffee and Death and Taxes.