Pasty 'cross-border' row erupts

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Leigh Rundle and David George meet pasty makers from both counties

A row has blown up after a Devon food producer won a national award for its Cornish pasty.

Pasty makers in the two counties have often clashed about its origins, rightful name, where it was first made and even its ingredients.

The row reignited when Chunk of Devon won the British Pie Awards last week.

Cornish producers lodged an appeal, saying only produce made Cornwall could claim the name, but competition judges refused to change their decision.

Simon Bryon-Edmond, the managing director of Chunk of Devon, said he was delighted with the outcome. and accused his rivals of complacency.

All's fair in love and war I suppose Philip Ugalde, Cornish Pasty Association

"It seems the Cornish may have got a bit podgy round the waist when it comes to pasty-making and have been relaxing and rather resting on their laurels," he said.

"We were the underdogs in the competition but we know our pasty is a winner.

"The judges were asked to think again because we were from Devon but they have turned the appeal down."

The 47-year-old said the company used the best ingredients in its pasty, which were locally sourced from Devon.

But the Cornish Pasty Association (CPA), which was set up in 2002 by more than 40 pasty makers based in Cornwall to protect the quality and the reputation of the Cornish pasty, said the judges' decision highlighted the need for the pasty to be awarded Protected Geographic Indication (PGI).

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) approved the CPA's application at the end of last year and it is now being considered by the EU.

PGI status is awarded to foods that are unique to a particular geographic area.

CPA chair Philip Ugalde said: "If we get this status this will, once and for all, sort out the problem.

"A lot of people can make good pasties and we're not trying to stop that, but don't call them Cornish pasties - call them Devon pasties or something else.

"All's fair in love and war I suppose, so good luck to the winner, but being granted PGI status would sort out these shades of grey."

Cornish clotted cream producers won PGI status in 1998.