Contest to find fastest Cornish pasty crimpers

The fastest amateur pasty crimper contests are planned to take place during Cornish Pasty Week

A competition to find the world's fastest amateur Cornish pasty crimper has been announced.

The contest is set to take place during Cornish Pasty Week at the Great Cornish Food Store, Truro, on 1 March.

The Cornish Pasty Association (CPA) said there would be two amateur categories, adults and under-16s, and these would replace previous competitions for professional crimpers.

Earlier this year the dedicated week raised £20,000 for a community fund that pays for cooking activities and food education in schools across Cornwall.

Jason Jobling said CPA members had helped lead pasty-making sessions for more than 600 schoolchildren in Cornwall

CPA chairman Jason Jobling said: "Once again throughout Cornish Pasty Week we will be raising money for the Cornish Pasty Community Fund, which helps hundreds of children right across the county to learn about food and cooking."

More than 30 schools have already been given funds to buy equipment and ingredients for activities including growing vegetables and after-school cookery clubs, he added.

CPA members have also led pasty-making sessions for more than 600 schoolchildren.

Mr Jobling said schools can apply for a share of the fund via the CPA website

To raise money for the fund, he encouraged people making or selling genuine Cornish pasties to donate either an amount from each one sold during the week or a fixed sum of their choice.

The World's Fastest Crimper competitions have been part-funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.