Camborne Students Take Part in Pasty Week Workshop

Camborne Science & International Academy (CSIA) welcomed the Cornish Pasty Association into school as part of national Pasty Week celebrations, giving year 10 students the chance to explore one of Cornwall’s most iconic foods by making their own.

The event, organised at the Athena Learning Trust school, blended local heritage with hands-on food preparation and saw students roll up their sleeves for a practical lesson in pasty making.

A Taste of History

The workshop began with an introduction to the history of the Cornish pasty, which dates back more than 800 years. Students learned how it was made famous by Cornish miners, who valued its thick crimped crust as a practical way to hold their meal while working underground.

A quiz followed, testing knowledge of traditional ingredients including beef skirt, potato, onion and swede. Students also explored the origins of the well-known “Oggy Oggy Oggy, Oi Oi Oi” call, once heard down the mines.

The session also highlighted the scale of Cornwall’s pasty industry today. Around 120 million pasties are produced in the county each year, contributing an estimated £300 million to the Cornish economy.

Crimping Under Pressure

Working in pairs, students prepared their fillings, seasoning freshly chopped vegetables before assembling their pasties. Meat was added before the all important crimping stage.

Jackie from Prima Bakeries, who previously placed second in a world crimping competition, demonstrated the technique in a timed display. Students gathered to watch before trying the method themselves, supported by members of the visiting team.

Each pasty was finished with a personalised pastry initial and glaze before baking. The session ended with a group photograph alongside surprise guests Mr and Mrs Pasty.

Emma Haase, Principal of Camborne Science and International Academy, said:

“It was fantastic to welcome the Cornish Pasty Association into school to share such an important part of our local heritage. Opportunities like this bring learning to life, connecting our students to Cornwall’s rich history while developing practical skills, teamwork and confidence. We are incredibly proud of how enthusiastically our year 10 students embraced the experience.”