The Lost Gardens of Heligan will celebrate the finest Cornish pasty bakers in the world when it hosts the first ever Global Pasty Championships on Saturday, 28 February 2026.
Taking place on the Saturday before St Piran’s Day – the national day of Cornwall – the event will be a true celebration of all things Cornish. Presented in partnership with the Cornish Pasty Association, the Global Pasty Championships will feature competitions to find the best pasties in the world. Categories will include both traditional recipes and more inventive creations, with opportunities for individuals and companies alike to take part.
Young bakers will also be encouraged to get involved, with junior categories available. They can enter alongside an adult if they wish to use a treasured family recipe or would like some guidance.
Alongside the competitions, visitors can look forward to a speed-crimping contest to crown the kings and queens of crust, pasty-themed workshops and activities, and a lively programme of entertainment throughout the day.
The event will mark the grand finale of the ninth Cornish Pasty Week, an annual celebration organised by the Cornish Pasty Association.
Heligan has a deep-rooted connection to Cornwall’s most famous dish, being home to the first ever written record of the Cornish pasty. A recipe for a mutton pasty was sent in a 1764 letter to John Tremayne, then squire of Heligan.
While the Cornish pasty remains hugely popular in its homeland, with the industry now worth £300 million annually, variations can be found around the globe. Thanks to Cornish miners who travelled overseas, regions in the USA, Mexico, Australia and beyond all boast dishes inspired by the pasty.
David Harland, chief executive of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, said: “We are delighted to be launching the Global Pasty Championships at Heligan, the spiritual home of the Cornish pasty. This will be an event stuffed full of pasty-themed fun and entertainment, all encased in a crimped golden crust of elite culinary competition.
“Whether you are an oggy artisan looking to prove your Cornish cooking chops against the best in the world or a pasty aficionado looking for the best place to celebrate St Piran’s Day with a pint, pasty and party, the Global Pasty Championships has you covered.”
CPA chairman Jason Jobling added: “Hats off to The Lost Gardens of Heligan for creating this exciting new event celebrating Cornwall’s favourite food, the not-so-humble pasty, and its many global variations. Cornish Pasty Week is now embedded in the calendar and the new Global Pasty Championships promises to be a fitting finale. Inviting juniors to join in with the help of an adult is a great way to keep up Cornwall’s fine baking traditions and encourage the next generation of pasty makers.”
The Cornish pasty is one of several regional delicacies protected under UK law as part of the Geographical Indication (UK GI) scheme. This places it alongside other celebrated foods such as Melton Mowbray pork pies and traditional Cumberland sausages. To qualify as a genuine Cornish pasty, it must be made in Cornwall and adhere to strict rules governing ingredients and methods.
The Cornish Pasty Association, a non-profit industry body, administers the UK GI designation and represents pasty producers of all sizes. Its role is to promote and protect the reputation of the authentic Cornish pasty worldwide. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Entries for the Global Pasty Championships are now open. To find out more or register, visit www.heligan.com. Further details about entertainment and workshop activities will be announced in due course. Follow The Lost Gardens of Heligan on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date.
