Sheffield baker triumphs at World Pasty Championships in Cornwall

Jan Micallef came away victorious from the annual contest in the country, traditonally known as the home of the popular baked treat.

Jan took top honours in the Open Savoury Amateur class with a goat’s cheese, pear and walnut pasty at the contest, which was held at the Eden Project.

Clutching her trophy, Jan, who came to the Championships with husband Paul and mother Pam, said: “To win is absolutely fantastic. I’m really excited.

“This is going to be my Facebook picture now.

“We will celebrate. I’m going to have a wonderful pint of your Proper Job ale.”

The first contest was held in 2012 and since then, chefs and amateur bakers from around Britain have competed in a bid to win a host of top prizes.

Head judge Dave Meneer and a team of more than 40 judges evaluated nearly 200 pasties, mainly from Cornwall but some from further afield, including entries from Canada and the USA.

To deliver the championships Eden works closely with the Cornish Pasty Association, the industry body which represents the £300m-a-year baking industry west of the Tamar. All members are producers of certified genuine Cornish pasties.

The CPA successfully sought to have the name "Cornish Pasty" protected as one of the protected geographical indications under an EU ruling.