School students set to benefit from Cornish Pasty Week 2026

Cornish Pasty Week will once again support the next generation of bakers.

The 2026 edition of the annual event, organised by the Cornish Pasty Association (CPA), kicks off on 23 February and sees participating bakeries donate a portion of their pasty sales to a community fund to help boost cooking skills at schools across Cornwall.

To date, Cornish Pasty Week has raised more than £35,000 for nearly 60 schools, helping to buy cookers, aprons and other equipment, grow ingredients, provide cookery sessions and fund food-related field trips.

Among those who received funds raised last year was Camborne Science and International Academy, which got a £2k grant towards creating and developing a school food garden. The academy is currently raising more money for gardening tools, polytunnels, raised beds, and a food waste composting machine, and is working in partnership with Cornwall-based young people’s charity RJ Working.

“It’s exciting to think that spring is around the corner and the ninth edition of Cornish Pasty Week will soon be here,” commented CPA chairman Jason Jobling.

“As well as celebrating our national dish, we’re delighted to be raising funds to promote cooking in schools, ranging from small primaries to big establishments such as Camborne, helping create experiences that children will remember for many years.

“Once again pasty makers and bakers will be pledging part of their pasty sales to the community fund. The initiative goes from strength to strength and our message to schools is that there is still time to apply.”

In addition to collecting donations from generous pasty makers across the county, the CPA will also be hosting the first Global Pasty Championships on 28 February at The Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey. This competition is open to companies and individuals and features categories for both traditional recipes and innovative creations. There are also junior categories.

The championships form part of an activities-packed day at the gardens, including a search for the World’s Fastest Crimper, children’s pasty-making classes, and other pasty-themed entertainment. Mascots Mr and Mrs Pasty will also be making an appearance, having completed a tour of Cornwall during the week.