Grandmother Sue Crowned World’s Fastest Crimper at Cornish Pasty Week Finale

A grandmother who started making Cornish pasties 50 years ago has beaten all challengers to become the first-ever World’s Fastest Crimper.

Sue Mountford, from Penpol near Truro, took the top spot in the amateur crimping competition, held on Saturday, 1st March, as part of the grand finale of Cornish Pasty Week. The event drew competitors from across Cornwall, the wider South West, and even Japan.

“Thrilled to Bits” With the Win

Sue, who learned pasty-making from her mother, admitted she hadn’t baked one in quite some time but was delighted by the unexpected win.

“The award is amazing and quite a surprise. I’m elated – thrilled to bits,” she said.

“We’ve always made pasties in my family. I loved watching my mum make them. You could say I’m a natural-born crimper!”

The contest, hosted at the Great Cornish Food Store in Truro, saw competitors race to crimp three pasties against the clock while also being judged on the quality of their seals.

International Contestants and Future Crimping Stars

Runner-up Lynn Counter, from St Newlyn East, put in a strong performance, but the contest’s standout moment came from Japanese accountant and avid pasty fan Yuriko Shigyo, who flew all the way from Tokyo to take part.

Yuriko received a crimping masterclass from Graham Cornish, a professional pasty maker and two-time winner of the first-ever World Pasty Championships in 2012. She competed wearing traditional Japanese dress and shared her love for Cornwall.

“My parents visited Penzance many years ago and told me about Cornwall and pasties.

“I’ve loved coming here and taking part – Cornwall is so natural. I make pasties at home. My crimping is quite different to the traditional method, but today I have learned the authentic way.”

In the Under-16s category, Paddy Gamble from Perranporth claimed victory over Harry Sheffield from St Austell in a closely fought crimp-off.

“It was a bit scary up there on stage but nice to win,” said Paddy.

“I’ve been making pasties for about a year. My nan taught me – she makes the best ones – and I can’t wait to tell her I’ve got first prize.”

Mr and Mrs Pasty Bring Smiles to Schools

Another highlight of Cornish Pasty Week was the return of the much-loved Mr and Mrs Pasty mascots, who delighted children across the Duchy after a fresh “bake-over.”

On Wednesday, 26th February, they made a surprise entrance at St Mabyn Primary School near Bodmin, where 28 pupils had just completed a pasty-making lesson.

Keren Cooksey, from the Cornish Pasty Association (CPA), led an interactive talk on the history of pasties, their importance in the mining industry, and how to make them.

Meanwhile, expert speed crimper Julie Roberts, from Bodmin-based Proper Cornish, demonstrated the art of sealing a pasty.

The children then got hands-on, folding their pasties, marking them with pastry initials, and sending them off to be baked in the school oven.

Supporting Schools Through Pasty Power

Each year, Cornish Pasty Week raises money for the Cornish Pasty Community Fund, which helps children across Cornwall learn about food and cooking. Last year’s event raised £20,000, benefiting schools like St Mabyn.

Head of School Joanna Redford-James explained the impact of an £800 donation from the fund.

“The £800 we received has made a huge difference, particularly to our younger ones. It’s been used for utensils and weekly food ingredients. We’re still using it for ingredients so we can keep the Breakfast Baking Club going.

“We had children who started the year without being able to chop a banana – they are now much more confident.

“We’ve also been using our maths skills to measure out ingredients but also been teaching ‘guesstimation’ in baking too. It’s really making a difference in our little school.”

A Successful Celebration of Cornwall’s Favourite Food

Reflecting on the success of this year’s Cornish Pasty Week, CPA Chairman Jason Jobling said:

“Cornish Pasty Week 2025 has been a great success in celebrating our favourite food and helping us give back to the community by supporting schools in their food and cooking activities.

“We’ve made a piece of pasty history with the first-ever World’s Fastest Crimper contests for amateurs, and Mr and Mrs Pasty’s epic tour has put a smile on everyone’s face.

“Spring is here, and a week full of activity has helped us show off Cornwall at its welcoming and beautiful best.”

Photo: Sue Mountford, senior winner at the World’s Fastest Crimper contest. –Photo credit:  Sally Mitchell/Cornish Pasty Association

Photo: Junior winner Paddy Gamble is presented with his prize by Cornish Pasty Association chairman Jason Jobling.  –Photo credit:  Sally Mitchell/Cornish Pasty Association

Photo: Yuriko Shigyo from Japan meets Mrs and Mrs Pasty. –Photo credit:  Sally Mitchell/Cornish Pasty Association

Photo: St Mabyn Primary School pupils meet Mr and Mrs Pasty after the pasty-making masterclass. –Photo credit:  Sally Mitchell/Cornish Pasty Association

Photo: Pupils making pasties at St Mabyn Primary School. –Photo credit:  Sally Mitchell/Cornish Pasty Association