What we do
The CPA is a resource that can be used by anyone with an interest in or a question about Cornish pasties.
Established as a non-profit-making Community Interest Company, our members are producers of genuine Cornish pasties from all over Cornwall.
The members elect a board of directors to run the Association.
Here are some of the benefits of getting involved:
Producers
- Access to a peer network of certified Cornish pasty producers.
- Help with GI audit and certification.
- Use of the CPA’s trade marks.
- Guidance on GI labelling and marketing.
- Collective promotion and marketing of the Cornish pasty.
- The chance to take part in Cornish Pasty Week.
- Help the next generation learn pasty-making at our events.
- Hear about new trade leads from inside and outside the UK.
- Be included in media opportunities.
- Promotion via our online directory and social media.
Retailers
- Access to the Recognised Retailer scheme for sellers of certified Cornish pasties.
- Professionally designed point of sale materials.
- Use of the CPA’s trademarks.
- Guidance on PGI labelling and marketing.
- The chance to get involved in Cornish Pasty Week.
- Take part in other events.
- Promotion via our online directory and social media.
WORLD PASTY CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE 2023
After a decade of successful and hugely popular events, the Eden Project and the Cornish Pasty Association have decided after a lot of soul-searching that the much-loved World Pasty Championships have run their course.
The first championships took place at Eden in 2012 and in 2022 we were delighted to celebrate the 10th event after the enforced cancellation of the 2021 Championships due to the pandemic. Held on St Piran’s Day itself it somehow encapsulated everything about the previous ten years, but equally made a fantastic finale to that memorable time.
We are hugely grateful for the support of all the wonderful amateur, professional and company pastymakers who have taken part over the years, the dedicated judges, the entertainers and all those who have come along and celebrated Cornwall’s culinary gift to the world.
Despite this, Cornish Pasty Week continues, and this year we are excited to be launching a new charitable initiative – the Cornish Pasty Community Fund. Click HERE to read more or to get involved.
Joining up
As soon as a producer of Cornish pasties receives certification that their pasties meet the requirements of the GI, they are eligible to join the Association.
There is no charge for a producer to be part of the Association.
We work as a collective that helps each other out and works towards the common good rather than individual benefit.
Between our members, there is a mine of information about ‘What’s Hot’ in the industry. From ovens and blast chillers to ingredient suppliers and PR opportunities, there is plenty to share.
Board members give up their time voluntarily to direct the development and evolution of the Association.
We also employ the team at Cornwall Food & Drink to manage and administer the day to day running of the CPA and our events, such as Cornish Pasty Week. They have a wealth of knowledge and contacts at their fingertips and can answer pretty much any question relating to the Association or the GI. If they can’t, you can guarantee they will know someone who can.
The CPA also participates in the UK Protected Food Names Association, which liaises with and lobbies the UK government on matters that affect producers of Protected Name products.
Producer members are all eligible to vote at general meetings and to be nominated for a place on the Board.
To find out more:
Becoming a Recognised Retailer
Wherever you are – in Cornwall, the rest of the UK, or the rest of the world – if you sell Cornish pasties that are made by a certified producer you are welcome to become one of our Recognised Retailers.
Once we’ve checked that the pasties you sell are genuine Cornish pasties we can start the ball rolling to include you in our network.
Fees work on a sliding scale, according to the number of outlets you have. For those with a single outlet the annual fees start at just £100 + VAT.
We know that the dos and don’ts of the GI can be a bit of a minefield, and grappling with how to label and market Cornish pasties at their point of sale can be daunting. But because we don’t want anyone selling genuine Cornish pasties to fall foul of the law, we’ll give you all the guidance you need and some materials to get you started.
You’ll also be able to use the CPA’s ‘Genuine Cornish Pasty’ trade mark and we’ll send you regular updates and invitations to take part in meetings and events.
For more information:
Get in touch
Please call 01872 865101
or email [email protected]
The Cornish Pasty Association
c/o Cornwall Food & Drink
Tregurra Park, Newquay Road,
Truro, Cornwall TR1 1RH
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