World Pasty Championships return to Cornwall's Eden Project for 10th year
The great global oggy bake-off will take place on St Piran's Day
The World Pasty Championships are making a welcome comeback to Cornwall's Eden Project.
The 10th edition of the great global oggy bake-off will take place on St Piran's Day, Saturday 5th March.
The gala event at the home of the world-famous Biomes will be another celebration of the pasty, Cornwall’s culinary gift to the globe and Eden’s all-time bestselling savoury food.
Last year’s championships had to be cancelled due to the country being in lockdown.
Eden is planning the return of the event with partners the Cornish Pasty Association and entries for company, professional, amateur and junior bakers are due to open next Thursday, January 20th.
Indoor and outdoor stages are being set for a host of pasty activities plus some top musical talent on a full entertainments bill soon to be announced.
The event will also see the return of the World’s Fastest Crimper contest, featuring top crimpers from across the industry and overseen by the Cornish Pasty Association.
Kate Francis, Eden Live Programme Producer, said: “Our tenth annual World Pasty Championships promises to be a huge moment. We are looking forward to everyone getting together to celebrate Cornwall’s national dish and its many varieties and enjoy some fabulous entertainment on the day.
“We were disappointed not to be able to hold the championships last year and now it feels great to be coming back. The timing couldn’t be better – ten years after we started the event and with St Piran’s Day this year falling on a Saturday. Bring on the spring…and of course, the pasties!”
Eden head chef Mike Greer and his team marked the return of the championships and the event’s major milestone by baking the number 10 in giant pasty-like form.
Ruth Huxley of the Cornish Pasty Association said: “As an organisation representing thousands of people in the pasty-making industry, we are delighted that we will once again be able to celebrate our favourite food at Eden on March 5.
“Over the years, the event has brought pasty aficionados together from across Cornwall, the UK and even some from overseas and it is great to see it back after such a tough couple of years for everyone.”
At the last pasty championships in 2020 a team of 40 judges were faced with nearly 200 pasties entered across the classes.
In the grand finale of the event, winners in eight categories receive one of the prestigious Oggy Awards. The trophies are hand crafted in clay and each year there is a special extra award for Pasty Ambassador.
Since the event started at Eden in 2012 it has attracted overseas entrants from countries around the world including the USA, Canada, Chile and Ireland.
In 2011, the Cornish Pasty Association won a long campaign to gain European Union protected geographical status (PGI) for the Cornish pasty. Post-Brexit the Cornish pasty is now similarly protected with UK GI status.