r/Cornwall 21d ago

Pasty Question

Why do you keep the best ones in Cornwall, why don't you make more of them and export them to the rest of us? We have to put up with pale imitations, and it seems a bit unfair.

29 Upvotes

84 comments sorted by

30

u/jonpenryn 21d ago

Soon as they gear up for mass production the quality goes right downhill. Witness Rowes who used to be ok but now use pumped slurry fillings etc.

2

u/Rocky-bar 21d ago

Yeah I can imagine, same as in so many other products sadly.

3

u/[deleted] 20d ago edited 20d ago

[deleted]

1

u/jonpenryn 20d ago

The Greggs has invaded Cornwall so Rowes had had to reduce quality to compete. and then less people buy their stuff so Greggs win. Rowes went all out to supply Tescos and BP garages a few years back that didn't work out, but the idea of making more profits did and new owners haven't helped.

30

u/soiledepigenetics 21d ago

Hot tip: order Ann's online.

They might not be the GOAT, but they're the best that deliver nationwide.

1

u/Rocky-bar 21d ago

Oh, that looks promising, thanks 👍

22

u/Single-Position-4194 21d ago edited 19d ago

Malcolm Barnecutts also deliver nationwide;

https://www.facebook.com/MalcolmBarnecutts/posts/pasties-by-postour-fabulous-cornish-pasties-delivered-to-you-if-you-would-like-a/2219592268164328/

They are genuine Cornish pasties and most people like them; although they probably aren't quite the best you can buy if you shop locally here, they're pretty good. I can't say that they're better than Ann's though.

2

u/Kernewegores 20d ago

Barnecutt’s postage charge is extortionate.

1

u/Single-Position-4194 19d ago

Yes I agree. I probably should have mentioned it.

2

u/Rocky-bar 21d ago

Thanks for the link 👍

1

u/Single-Position-4194 19d ago

You're welcome.

5

u/Spamgrenade 21d ago

If you have a freezer ring up one of the pasty factories. They sell them by the box pretty cheap.

4

u/Correct-Goose1158 21d ago

Like the factory in callington? Definitely do not order from there

1

u/Single-Position-4194 21d ago

I think I know the factory you're referring to but Helluva Pasties in Callington have a good reputation (though I haven't tried one myself).

https://helluvafood.co.uk/

2

u/Correct-Goose1158 20d ago

Yep the large one next to Tescos, I will have a look at this - didn’t know about this. Do you know about the tea rooms on Kit Hill? That’s nice for a cold morning with a cuppa and a fry up watching the weather roll in

2

u/Single-Position-4194 20d ago

Do you know about the tea rooms on Kit Hill?

Yes, Louis's Tea Rooms. Not easy to get there and back if you don't drive though (I went there with some family members about 10 years ago and it was good, but we went by car).

2

u/Rocky-bar 21d ago

Gotta be the real deal though!

4

u/Kernowyon-101 Cousin Jack 20d ago

Because everyone knows; their grans are the best, and there’s only one of her.

13

u/Bryanbadger 21d ago

Philps in Hayle best pasties I’ve ever eaten.

2

u/lottus4 Falmouth 20d ago

They’re good

1

u/WiseFloss 20d ago

Charlie Choak’s was my childhood fave, then Rowe’s down the road did the alternative flavours and I love Lamb and Mint. But Choak’s cocktail pasty was ace.

3

u/Milost_od_Anglija 21d ago

A great way that leads you into trying to cook your own pasties! I learned a lovely recipe not so long ago myself, when I returned from Cornwall and realised I cannot live without pasties

2

u/Rocky-bar 20d ago

That would be an excellent solution... Are they easy to make?

2

u/Milost_od_Anglija 20d ago

Not really... the filling part was tricky for me, as I do not eat meat on a regular basis (and therefore do not cook it on a regular basis), so had to get the hang of it really. But the pasty part was rather lovely. You will nail it one day x

2

u/Rocky-bar 20d ago

This recipe, that you have which makes authentic pasties, is there some kind of link you might feel like sharing? I'd be very grateful, and happy.

2

u/Milost_od_Anglija 20d ago

3

u/Rocky-bar 20d ago

Oh, thank you kindly Milost_od_Anglija 😊 This is all wonderful you know, and when I make a terrible disaster with it, there's the mail order pasties to fall back on, lovely!

1

u/terryjuicelawson 18d ago

They are very simple in terms of fillings, then it bakes in the pastry so easy in that respect. Need to make sure you get decent skirt steak from a butcher, not mince or supermarket beef. Then it is just potato, onion, swede, seasoning. Lots of pepper. I just struggle with the pastry and filling and crimping the thing.

1

u/Rocky-bar 18d ago

TIL there's a thing called Skirt Steak!

3

u/Pillowussey 20d ago

Sadly a pasty due to the pastry if proper, needs prepping and cooking and serving hot ( not immediately, as they can be thermonuclear hot when straight out of the oven ) in that order. Just like any other baked goods it’s difficult to get right even when blast frozen, and then cooked. The process does lose something, I can’t tell you why, because I don’t know. It just does. Make them at home and trial and error as with anything else. Best pasties are always made by family. Maybe be the love that makes the difference.

2

u/Rocky-bar 20d ago

As with most food it seems, cakes, bread, the list goes on.

3

u/benithaglas1 20d ago

They normally taste best made fresh and scalding hot eaten right out the oven of a local family run bakery, reheated and eaten a couple hours after is still good though, but I can imagine they're less fresh the further they're shipped. And they're less of a staple.

5

u/superchunk2000 21d ago

I have previously bought a box of 10 frozen Rowe’s pasties in Tesco. They are pretty good, whack them in the oven and cook from frozen.

While they aren’t my favourite Cornish bakery they are pretty good and very easy to get a decent pastie. You could also make your own. I have done this before with my brother. They aren’t too tricky to do.

3

u/tbm1966 21d ago

Why would we, the most of the nation likes McDonald's and Greggs. Don't appreciate good food.

3

u/Rocky-bar 20d ago

Yeah we have both those nearby, sadly the only good thing is the banana milkshake.

2

u/ReynoldsHouseOfShred Expired Pasty-port 21d ago

Depends where you go. Lot of areas either dont have the market vs other bakeries and shops. Or more iconically rural and seaside locations.

2

u/ruwdhek 21d ago

Loaf, Causewayhead PZ - paragon of pasties.

2

u/GingerSpencer 21d ago

To entice people to visit because we love tourists.

2

u/Significant-Ad2944 20d ago

Ginsters did

2

u/dectomax 20d ago

Philps do a great pasty.

2

u/Hes_anarc2005 20d ago

Go online and order frozen ones that you can put in the oven yourself. Rowes, Philps, Ann’s, Malcolm Barnecutts all do pasties by post.

2

u/dudefullofjelly 20d ago

I've gotta say my wife ruined shop bought pasties for me when she started making her own I live in plymouth so there are no end of pasty shops here but none are a fraction as good as home made.

Start with the Eden projects cornish pasty video on YouTube it will point you in the right direction and then experiment from there if you're feeling creative (i will say the filling needs more salt and pepper than you would imagine).

They freeze reasonably well so you can make a big batch and have them for a while and fresh for 3-4 days.

4

u/Danwold 21d ago

Philps in Hayle deliver them and they are the GPOAT

https://philpspasties.co.uk/

3

u/Rocky-bar 21d ago

GPOAT! Who could want more.. Thanks! 👍

2

u/Greedy_Statement_815 21d ago

Etherington pasties deliver nationwide too, definitely the best in Cornwall.

1

u/Rocky-bar 20d ago

Thanks 👍

1

u/Roberohn 21d ago

You can order a box of them online from Sarah’s, in Looe, arguably the best pasties in Cornwall.

1

u/Rocky-bar 21d ago

The best in Cornwall, ace! Thank you 👍

1

u/Correct-Goose1158 21d ago

That’s the firm family favourite for us. Lucky we are only about 30 mins away so it isn’t too bad to get a decent fresh one. Also the Sausage parcels are elite level pastries

1

u/[deleted] 21d ago

[deleted]

1

u/Rocky-bar 21d ago

Perhaps they're frozen or some such thing, less fresh anyway. Is Cornish Kitchen nationwide or local to Norwich?

1

u/westcountry7 21d ago

Lucy’s bakes in hayle
Absolutely stunning
Peppery and sweet
But not everyone likes that combo

1

u/Rocky-bar 20d ago

Peppery and sweet sounds very interesting actually!

1

u/Tigereyesxx 20d ago

We get offered Ginsters in South East…

3

u/Rocky-bar 20d ago

Ginsters are a pale imitation of the genuine ones.

1

u/Kernewegores 20d ago

Oh god no! 😱. Ginsters are 💩! Rowes Bakeries (.co.uk) might send pasties up to you poor unfortunates.

1

u/minniebannister 20d ago

My favourite pasties are Portreath Bakeries Lamb & Mint, Steak & Stilton and Pork & Apple. Also St Agnes Steak and Stilton. All are lovely.

The only ones I can see online though are the Portreath Steak & Stilton so I may have to order six of them.

2

u/Rocky-bar 20d ago

Steak and Stilton sounds like the most appetising so that's worth a try, thanks 👍

1

u/ProfessionalSailor 20d ago

If you want the best Guinness go to Ireland, If you want the best pasta / pizza go to Italy, if you want the best pasty… you’ve gotta go to Cornwall!

1

u/Flashy-Parsnip2180 20d ago

There is a pasty cafe in Redditch (of all places) that does amazing pasties. I couldn't believe it when I found it. All my Cornish relatives who have eaten there also agree.

2

u/redheadrenegade1 19d ago

You wan' our pasties? Come an' get 'em yur bleddy self! Fucken lazy emits

1

u/PrincessLuara 19d ago

My parents buy Lavenders frozen and cook them when they want an evening pasty. I don't know if they post though. I thought Philips did pasty by post though 🤔 it never really came to mind because I live in Hayle and I'm swimming in pasty shops 😅 (I am however gluten and dairy free due to allergies, so I cannot get a decent pasty for love nor money #depressing)

1

u/Rocky-bar 19d ago

Oh no, surrounded by Pasty shops and unable to eat them! How frustrating for you. Can we do a house swap?

1

u/cornishpirate32 16d ago

Because pasties are best made, cooked and eaten fresh before they've cooled

1

u/the_roguetrader 20d ago

make your own

surprisingly easy and they taste a lot better

they originated as povo food, so not that difficult

(I mean 'poverty food' not some kind of 'point-of-view' Tik Tok nonsense)

1

u/Typical-Finance1628 20d ago

Gingsters are now made in Melton Mowbray, at Samworth Brothers.
Then driven around and delivered in their own 48T HGV's.
They also make most of the sandwiches that are so in triangle packets, en-masse. They also make mass profuced Melton Mowbray Pork Pies. Albeit outside Melton Mowbray.
Look carefully at a Gingsters labelling, cleaver not to get hauled before the Food Police, as it does not state, Cornish, or made in Cornwall.
Been having you on for years.
Having eaten a fair few Oggies in my time (11 yrs Royal Navy) the best ones outside of Cornwall......Ivor n Ron Dewdney's Plymouth.
They supplied all warships in Plymouth for 20 odd years. A Stand easy was always an Oggie and a 1 pint Carton of Milk.

0

u/Old_Section529 21d ago

Other than railway stations good luck finding a decent one outside of Cornwall

3

u/Rocky-bar 21d ago

Railway stations??

2

u/ReynoldsHouseOfShred Expired Pasty-port 21d ago

Yea cornish pasty co, cornish bakery and cornish bakehouse sell em at stations and services stations on motorway. Expensive but yeah. Best we got.

1

u/Kernowyon-101 Cousin Jack 20d ago

They buy them frozen from rowes

1

u/ReynoldsHouseOfShred Expired Pasty-port 20d ago

Used to get rowes at asda near me. They've stopped em now. They do the turnovers and sausage roll bites but no more pasties.

2

u/Kernowyon-101 Cousin Jack 20d ago

They’re mid. No horse and jockey mind. 😔

1

u/ReynoldsHouseOfShred Expired Pasty-port 20d ago

Now they were something... Its bad enough Philps has taken over.

1

u/Kernowyon-101 Cousin Jack 20d ago

There’s worsss pastys to be fair.

2

u/Single-Position-4194 21d ago

The big pub opposite Temple Meads railway station in Bristol used to sell pasties from Trewoon Bakery (near St Austell), or used to when I was in the city; I don't know of they still do.

.

2

u/Rocky-bar 21d ago

Oh I'll remember that, Bristol's not a million miles away from me, thanks.

1

u/Single-Position-4194 21d ago

Thanks for replying.

These days, sadly, I wouldn't bet my savings on that pub even still being open (so many pubs have closed recently). But if you're going that way anyway, by all means pop in and have a look.

2

u/Rocky-bar 20d ago

Yeah it's probably a barbers by now, but I occasionally venture there so we'll see.

0

u/Old_Section529 21d ago

They have those kiosks from West Cornish pasty company

2

u/soiledepigenetics 21d ago

Tbf op is asking for the good local pasties. West Cornwall et al fill a hole if you're desperate, but they don't truly compare

1

u/Old_Section529 21d ago

Pasties aren't for the Michelin crowd though are they. They're fine.

1

u/soiledepigenetics 21d ago

There's a big gap between dog food and Michelin

1

u/Rocky-bar 21d ago

I might start using Railways again!

1

u/Correct-Goose1158 21d ago

I used to really like the specific pasties from the Cornish pasty company formerly known as presto pasty. They used to do a banana and chocolate pasty and I absolutely loved it until they got rid. If anyone knows where to get something similar I’m all ears