Nun Bun Nabbed!

What has someone done with Nun Bun?
By Seattle Times news services
MANDY LUNN / AP, 1996

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nashville police and residents were searching Monday for clues to the Christmas Day theft of the Nun Bun, a cinnamon bun that found unlikely fame because of its resemblance to the late Mother Teresa's face.

The bun has been a draw for curious tourists since it was preserved and put on display in a glass case at the coffee shop where it was discovered by a customer in 1996.

When Bob Bernstein, owner of Bongo Java, arrived at the shop to assess the scene of an early Christmas morning break-in, the one thing he noticed missing was the Nun Bun.

Bernstein said he thinks the culprit was someone angry over the shop displaying the famous pastry, which has been preserved with shellac. A jar of tip money next to the Nun Bun was not stolen.

"They went right for the bun," he said. "Unfortunately, I think it's somebody who wanted to take it to destroy it.

"They can't sell it on eBay, it's not fit to eat, there was no ransom note and the police put its value at only $25 on their report."

The Nun Bun gained worldwide attention in 1996 when a customer nearly took a bite of it before recognizing the revered nun in the folds of flaky pastry.

The bun was featured on world news programs and "The Late Show" with David Letterman, and was mentioned on episodes of "The Nanny" and "Mad About You."

Bongo Java sold T-shirts, prayer cards and mugs with the bun's image for a short while before the Nobel Peace Prize winner wrote to Bernstein asking that her name not be used commercially.

Mother Teresa died in 1997.