Cornish Pasty: the movie

Members of the Cornish Pasty Association (CPA) have produced a film to support its (Protected Geographic Indicator) PGI application and emphasise the importance of the Cornish pasty to Cornwall.

The film, which demonstrates the Cornish passion for pasties, will get its first public screening at the Royal Cornwall Show (June 10-12) and will then be shown at schools and other venues across the county.

The short film was commissioned to support the CPA’s application for PGI status for the Cornish pasty and comes as the case is published in the Official European Union Journal. This puts the Cornish pasty closer to achieving the same protected status as Champagne. If no objections are raised from other member states (outside the UK) in the next seven months it will mean that only Cornish pasties made in Cornwall and to a traditional recipe will be called ‘Cornish Pasties’.

Larry File, Chairman of the CPA, said: “We wanted to celebrate the Cornish pasty’s rich history while at the same time leave a legacy for future generations. We know that the film will be enjoyed by Cornish pasty fans of all ages and look forward to seeing it on screens throughout the county this summer. This is a film for both the Cornish community and tourists who want to learn more about the county’s food heritage.”

The film includes interviews with local people about why the Cornish pasty is important for Cornwall. Elaine Ead, who makes pasties by hand in the traditional manner at the Chough Bakery in Padstow features alongside a Torpoint farmer, who grows ingredients for the Cornish pasty industry, as well as a modern factory producing the convenience snack. The film is supported by archive footage of tin miners who took a Cornish pasty to work as a tasty lunchtime snack.