At the end of February, we were incredibly proud to watch our son, Finnley, be crowned winner of the Junior Alternative Category at the Global Pasty Championships.

Held at the beautiful The Lost Gardens of Heligan, the championships celebrate everything there is to love about the iconic Cornish pasty — from traditional recipes to bold and imaginative new creations. Bakers of all ages gather to showcase their skills, with categories that honour heritage as well as innovation.

Finnley chose to go down the creative route. His winning entry was a delicious chicken fajita pasty, packed with flavour, colour and just the right balance of spice. It was a fantastic twist on the classic concept of a pasty, and the judges clearly loved it.

Baking with Kids

Watching Finnley prepare, fill and crimp his pasty got me thinking about how wonderful baking with children can be.

Pastry is such a brilliant starting point. It’s hands-on, a little messy (in the best way), and incredibly satisfying. Rolling the dough, spooning in the filling, folding and sealing the edges — it gives children real ownership over what they create.

And when it comes to fillings, pasties are wonderfully versatile. You can put almost anything you like inside — from Mexican-inspired flavours like Finnley’s fajita mix, to vegetables, cheese combinations or even sweet options.

The only exception, of course, is the traditional Cornish pasty. Because of its protected heritage status, a genuine Cornish pasty must be made in Cornwall using specific ingredients. That rich history is part of what makes the championships so special: they honour tradition while also celebrating creativity.

More Than Just a Competition

For us, this wasn’t just about winning a title. It was about confidence, creativity and spending time together in the kitchen. Seeing Finnley’s pride when his name was announced as Junior Alternative Category winner was a moment we’ll never forget.

Who knew a chicken fajita pasty could spark such joy?

Make Your Own Family Pasties

Here’s a simple recipe to get you started at home.

Easy Shortcrust Pastry

Ingredients:

• 250g plain flour
• 125g cold butter (cubed)
• Pinch of salt
• 3–5 tablespoons cold water
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
  
  

Method:

1. Rub the cold butter into the flour and salt using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
2. Add cold water one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough comes together.
3. Bring into a ball (don’t overwork it), wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 20–30 minutes.
   
   

Filling Ideas

This is where children can really get creative.

Simply chop any vegetables, meat or cheese you like into small pieces so they cook evenly. You can use:

• Cooked chicken with peppers and spices (like Finnley’s fajita filling)
• Diced ham, cheese and potato
• Mushrooms and spinach
• Roasted vegetables
• Leftover Sunday roast
• Even apple and cinnamon for a sweet version
  
  

Just make sure raw meats are cut small and will cook through fully in the oven.

Assembling Your Pasties

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan) / 200°C.
2. Roll out the chilled pastry to about the thickness of a pound coin.
3. Cut into circles (a side plate works perfectly as a guide).
4. Spoon filling onto one half, leaving a border around the edge.
5. Brush the edges lightly with water or egg wash, fold over and seal.
   
   

For an easy finish, press the edges with a fork to crimp.
 If you’d like a more authentic look, you can find plenty of simple crimping tutorials online and practise the traditional hand-crimp technique.

Finally, brush the tops with egg wash (beaten egg) for a golden finish.

Bake for 25–35 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

Whether you’re baking for fun, for family, or for future championships, pasties are the perfect way to bring everyone together in the kitchen — and perhaps inspire the next Junior Champion!