The History of Cornish Pasties | What Makes a PGI Protected Geographical Indicator Cornish Pasty?
It All Begins Here
History of Cornish Pasties and What Makes a True PGI Cornish Past
The Cornish pasty is one of Britain’s most iconic foods, with a rich history rooted in Cornwall’s mining heritage. Today, it remains a symbol of quality, tradition and craftsmanship, especially when made to official PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) standards.
In this guide, we explore the origins of the Cornish pasty, what defines an authentic PGI Cornish pasty, and why Phat Pasty Co’s Traditional Cornish Pasty has been recognised as the best Traditional Cornish Pasty in the country.
The History of the Cornish Pasty -
The Cornish pasty dates back centuries and became a staple for tin miners in Cornwall during the 18th and 19th centuries. Designed as a complete, portable meal, the pasty was filled with simple, hearty ingredients and encased in a thick pastry that could be easily held.
The distinctive crimped edge wasn’t just for appearance, it allowed miners to hold the pasty with dirty hands and discard the crust, keeping the filling clean. This practical design helped establish the pasty as a functional and nutritious meal for hardworking communities.
Over time, the Cornish pasty evolved from a regional staple into a nationally loved food, while still maintaining strong ties to its Cornish roots. https://www.phatpasty.com/shop
What Makes a Cornish Pasty PGI Certified?
To protect its heritage, the Cornish pasty was awarded PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status. This means that only pasties made in Cornwall and following strict traditional guidelines can be labelled as a genuine Cornish pasty.
A PGI or GI (Geographical Indicator) Cornish pasty must:
Be made in Cornwall
Contain a traditional filling of beef, potato, swede and onion
Use uncooked ingredients placed inside the pastry before baking
Be crimped along the side
Have a distinctive “D” shape
These standards ensure authenticity and preserve the traditional methods that make Cornish pasties unique.
Award Winning Phat Pasty
Phat Pasty Co has taken this heritage to the highest level, producing what is widely recognised as one of the best traditional Cornish pasties in the UK.
The Phat Traditional Cornish Pasty has achieved major industry recognition, winning:
Champion Cornish Pasty – World Pasty Championships 2020
Champion Cornish Pasty – Global Pasty Championships 2026
Tast Of The West Awards - Gold Winners 2023 / 2024 / 2025
These awards highlight the quality, consistency and authenticity of Phat Pasty Co’s approach to traditional Cornish pasty production.
What Makes the Phat Traditional Cornish Pasty Different ?
Phat Pasty Co combines traditional methods with premium ingredients to deliver exceptional quality.
Key features include:
British Red Tractor certified beef
20% higher meat content than standard recipes
Free-range eggs used in production
Handmade and hand-crimped in Cornwall
Consistent, award-winning flavour and quality
This commitment to quality ingredients and traditional techniques ensures every pasty delivers the authentic taste of Cornwall.
Form Cornwall to Your Door / Pasties by Post
Phat Pasty Co pasties are available across the UK through both direct delivery and foodservice partnerships, delivered by National and Local Foodservice Wholesalers.
Customers can:
Order Cornish pasties online
Enjoy convenient pasties by post delivery
Bake fresh at home for the perfect finish (also air-fry)
Phat Pasty Co also supplies many leading foodservice operators, including:
National Trust
Welcome Break
Red Funnel Ferries
Butlin’s holiday parks
This nationwide reach ensures more people can enjoy award-winning Cornish pasties wherever they are.
Enjoy our Authentic Cornish Pasties Today.
Whether you’re discovering the history of the Cornish pasty or looking to enjoy the best example of it today, Phat Pasty Co offers a true taste of Cornwall.
Explore the range online and experience award-winning Cornish pasties, handmade in Cornwall and delivered across the UK. https://www.phatpasty.com/shop
Small Steps Create Big Shifts
It All Begins Here
PHAT PASTY CO – OUR STORY
Phat Pasty Co was founded with a simple mission: to produce high-quality, great-tasting pasties and pies using the best British ingredients, while staying true to Cornwall’s rich food heritage. From our beginnings in Cornwall, we’ve grown to become one of the UK’s leading producers of award-winning pasties, supplying both customers at home and major foodservice operators across the country.
Our commitment to quality runs through everything we do. From using British Red Tractor certified beef and free-range eggs to hand-crimping every pasty in Cornwall, we combine traditional methods with modern production to deliver consistency, flavour and authenticity at scale.
In 2026, Phat Pasty Co took a major step forward in its journey by becoming an employee-owned business. This transition ensures that the people who help make the business successful every day share in its future, strengthening our long-term commitment to quality, sustainability and responsible growth.
We are also proud to be a certified B Corp, reflecting our dedication to high standards of social and environmental performance. Being a B Corp means we are committed to balancing profit with purpose — supporting our team, our community and the wider food industry while continuing to produce exceptional products.
Today, Phat Pasty Co pasties and pies are enjoyed across the UK — from pasties by post delivered to homes nationwide, to being served by leading partners including the National Trust, Welcome Break, Red Funnel Ferries and Butlin’s.
Turn Intention Into Action
It All Begins Here
Supporting British Farmers | Red Tractor Meat & Sustainability | Phat Pasty Co
Discover how Phat Pasty Co supports British farmers using Red Tractor meat, Soil Association Food for Life standards and sustainability projects with Word Forest.
Supporting British Farmers, Sustainability and Community at Phat Pasty Co
At Phat Pasty Co, quality starts with the ingredients we use and the people behind them. From sourcing British Red Tractor certified meat to supporting farming communities and global sustainability projects, we are committed to doing business responsibly while producing award-winning pasties and pies.
Proudly Supporting British Farmers
We believe that great food starts with great ingredients. That’s why we use British Red Tractor certified meat across our entire range. The Red Tractor standard ensures that the meat we use is fully traceable, responsibly farmed and produced to high welfare and environmental standards.
By sourcing British meat, we are supporting UK farmers, strengthening local supply chains and ensuring consistent quality across every product we make. This commitment helps us deliver pasties and pies that not only taste great but are produced with integrity.
Soil Association Food for Life Member
Phat Pasty Co is proud to be a member of the Soil Association’s Food for Life programme. This reflects our ongoing commitment to sourcing responsibly, supporting sustainable farming practices and promoting better food standards across the industry.
Being part of Food for Life means we actively support:
High-quality, responsibly sourced ingredients
Sustainable food systems
Better food education and awareness
It’s another way we ensure our products align with both customer expectations and environmental responsibility.
More Than Just Great Pasties
While we are known for our award-winning Cornish pasties and premium pies, our responsibility goes beyond the food we produce. We are committed to making a positive impact both in the UK and internationally.
Supporting Word Forest – Making a Global Impact
Supporting Word Forest – Making a Global Impact
Phat Pasty Co is proud to support the Word Forest Organisation, a charity focused on environmental sustainability, education and community development in Kenya.
Through this partnership, we have helped:
Plant over 30,000 trees
Support the building of a classroom for local education
Empower women and local communities through sustainable initiatives
These projects not only help combat climate change through reforestation but also provide long-term benefits for local communities, improving education, livelihoods and environmental resilience.
Balancing Quality, Responsibility and Growth
As a B Corp certified business and now employee-owned, Phat Pasty Co is committed to balancing commercial success with social and environmental responsibility. From supporting British farmers to investing in global sustainability initiatives, we are focused on building a business that delivers positive impact at every level.
A Better Way to Enjoy Pasties
Whether you’re enjoying our products at home through pasties by post or experiencing them through one of our foodservice partners, you can be confident that every Phat Pasty Co product is made with care, responsibility and respect for both people and the planet.
Being a B Corp Certified Company
It All Begins Here
What Does It Mean to Be a B Corp Food Company? | Sustainability & Phat Pasty Co
Learn what it means to be a B Corp certified food company and how Phat Pasty Co supports sustainability, people and planet alongside other UK B Corps.
What It Means to Be a B Corp Certified Food Company
In today’s food industry, customers increasingly want to know not just what they are eating, but how it is made and the impact it has on the world. Becoming a B Corp certified company is one of the strongest ways a business can demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, ethical practices and responsible growth.
At Phat Pasty Co, achieving B Corp certification reflects our belief that great food should be produced in a way that supports both people and the planet.
What Is a B Corp?
B Corp certification is awarded to companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. Certified B Corporations are independently assessed across areas including:
Environmental impact
Employee wellbeing
Community engagement
Governance and ethics
Unlike traditional businesses that focus solely on profit, B Corps are committed to balancing purpose and profit, ensuring that success benefits not just shareholders, but also employees, communities and the environment.
Why B Corp Matters in the Food Industry
Food production has a direct impact on the environment, supply chains and communities. From farming practices to packaging and distribution, every decision plays a role.
Being a B Corp certified food company means taking responsibility for:
Sourcing ingredients responsibly
Supporting farmers and suppliers
Reducing environmental impact
Creating positive working environments
Operating transparently and ethically
For customers, it provides reassurance that the food they are buying is part of a more sustainable and responsible system.
Phat Pasty Co’s Commitment to People and Planet
Phat Pasty Co’s Commitment to People and Planet
At Phat Pasty Co, B Corp certification reflects the way we already operate and the standards we continue to improve.
Our commitments include:
Using British Red Tractor certified meat to support UK farmers
Sourcing quality ingredients responsibly
Producing award-winning pasties and pies in Cornwall
Becoming an employee-owned business in 2026, giving our team a direct stake in our future
Supporting sustainability initiatives such as the Word Forest Organisation, helping plant over 30,000 trees and supporting communities in Kenya
This approach ensures that as we grow, we continue to make a positive contribution beyond just the products we sell.
Eat well. Have Fun. Do Good
Joining a Community of Purpose-Driven Food Brands
Phat Pasty Co is proud to be part of a growing community of B Corp certified food and drink businesses in the UK that are helping to lead change across the industry.
These include well-known brands such as:
BrewDog
Innocent Drinks
Tony’s Chocolonely
Abel & Cole
Cook
Pip Organic
Pie Minister
Judes Ice cream
Each of these businesses is committed to improving the way food is produced, sourced and consumed, demonstrating that commercial success and social responsibility can go hand in hand.
Sustainability as a Long-Term Commitment
Becoming a B Corp is not a one-time achievement — it’s an ongoing commitment to continuous improvement. Certified companies are regularly reassessed to ensure they maintain and improve their standards.
For Phat Pasty Co, this means continuing to:
Reduce environmental impact
Strengthen relationships with suppliers and farmers
Support employees and communities
Innovate responsibly within the food industry
A Better Way to Produce Great Food
Choosing a B Corp certified company means supporting a business that is working to make a difference. At Phat Pasty Co, we are proud to produce award-winning Cornish pasties and pies while staying committed to sustainability, ethical sourcing and community impact.
Whether you enjoy our products at home through pasties by post or through one of our foodservice partners, you are supporting a business that puts people and planet alongside product quality.