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2011;
1. Article written for Compton and Crownhill Shopper – October 2011
The history of the pasty goes back as far as the 13th century, during the reign of Henry III. However it became more commonplace around the 16th & 17th century. The pasty attained its real 'Cornish' identity in the last 200 years. The pasty provided a perfect portable lunch, as its pastry case insulated the contents, and its wholesome ingredients provided enough sustenance to see miners and farmer-worker alike through their long days of arduous toil.
The evolution of the "D-shape" of the pasty has particular significance in relation to tin miners. The crust (crimped edge) provided a safe way to eat their pasty - whilst avoiding the risk of digesting the arsenic contaminated environment they were working within.
 At the Original Pasty House we've tried to maintain the traditional values of hand crimped pasties, but added an extra dimension by offering 14 different fillings; from Spicy Chicken & Chorizo (very hot and very spicy - as you might expect!) to Steak & Ale (made with a terrific local West Country Ale). In addition we offer 5 different vegetarian options including: Tomato, Basil & Cheese, Cauliflower & Cheese & Mushroom & Cheese.
But you know, we are not only about pasties! We offer fair-trade coffee - prepared for you by our trained baristas, freshly baked baguettes, sandwiches, wraps, paninis and salads – all to eat-in or take-away. And if you have a sweet tooth, then you'll love our great selection of home-made cakes: from delicious carrot cake & chocolate brownie, to our very traditional bread pudding, as well as freshly baked Danish pastries.
 We also pride ourselves on employing dedicated, enthusiastic people who can deliver fast and friendly service.
In terms of our business practices; we strongly believe in the importance of sourcing as a many ingredients from local suppliers within the South West.
Equally we feel it's very important to do what we can for the environment, and consequently we're passionate about re-cycling all plastics, cans, paper and cardboard.
And for local Plymouth city-centre businesses, we offer a free delivery service, providing lunch orders, sandwich platters and buffet menus.
So why not try us next time you're in town, whether you'd like a relaxing coffee, or an award winning pasty.
2. Defining Moment In Cornish Pasty History – Plymouth Herald, July 27th, 2011
 CORNISH pasty makers and vendors have got a tasty result – from now on only pasties made in Cornwall can claim to be 'Cornish pasties', writes Tristan Nichols.
It follows a decision by the European Commission which was rubber-stamped in February. Yesterday marked the first day of the status being formally adopted. It ends a nine-year fight for special recognition and ranks Cornish pasties alongside regional favourites such as Arbroath Smokies, Cornish clotted cream and Melton Mowbray pork pies. It means that non-Cornish makers of 'Cornish' pasties will now have to drop the word 'Cornish' or be in breach of place-of-origin food rules introduced in 1992.
Peter Ackerman, owner of the Mutley branch of the Cornish Oggy Oggy Pasty Company, welcomed the status.
"It's a great thing," he said.
"We've always been told you cannot call a pasty a pasty unless it's from Cornwall, and a Cornish pasty has got to be hand-crimped.
"We pay transportation costs to take the Cornish-made pasties all over the country. It's only right they have the status.
"The Cornish pasty is very unique. It's a brand name. Anything which gives the product more stability has got to be a good thing."
Nigel Eadie, co-owner of Plymouth's newest pasty shop – The Original Pasty House – said: "I think it's great news because it stops people trying to imitate what is a pretty iconic product."
"It should be given status. Ours are produced in Bodmin and transported up and we are rightly proud of them."
Phil Abbot, a director of Plymouth's Ivor Dewdney Pasties, said he can understand why the Cornish Pasty Association wanted the 'Cornish pasty' to be recognised in this way. But he argued that maybe it should have taken further steps.
"If it's good for Cornwall's economy then it has got to be a good thing, but you have to ask why they didn't also insist on having the ingredients being sourced from the county," he said.
"That would make more sense."
Phil, whose grandfather Ivor started the business 76 years ago, added: "It won't make much different to us as everyone knows us as 'Ivor Dewdneys'.
"We will have to change our bags because it does state 'Cornish' on them.
"It's been on the bags for 76 years. Although Ivor lived in Plymouth he was half Cornish, so he didn't see the harm in saying they were 'Cornish' – even though they were made in Plymouth."
Julie Girling, one of three Conservative MEPs for the South West, said: "It is a big day for Cornish pasties. Local producers have been fighting for this day for many years and we've finally made it.
"Now Cornish pasties are where they deserve to be – on a par with Champagne and Parma ham.
"There's no better way to celebrate than to enjoy one of Cornwall's finest, so bon appétit."
3. New £150,000 Pasty Restaurant For Plymouth– Plymouth Herald, July 19th, 2011
 PLYMOUTH already has a clutch of outlets selling pasties but the owners of a new £150,000 restaurant and takeaway think their business is different enough to survive and thrive.
And The Original Pasty House's Nigel and Janet Eadie know their market.
They have been running a successful pasty business in Tavistock for the past eight years, seeing sales increase "significantly" to the point where it is now selling more than 130,000 fresh pasties every year.
Mr Eadie said: "A lot of people came in to see us in Tavistock and said they wished we'd open a shop in Plymouth.
"We have secured what we think is a really good site. There are a some good food outlets already in Plymouth; we hope we will complement that mix."
He said the business, which opened this week, offers pasties with 13 different fillings, and other meals too, including baguettes, wraps, jacket potatoes and salads.
The enterprise, in the Armada Way premises formerly used by the Body Shop, seats 30 people inside, with an intention to apply for outside seating, too.
But Mr Eadie said: "We think 65 to 70 per cent of our business will be takeaway."
He said price is "a huge factor" in the current economic climate, alongside value and service, and is expecting the success of the Tavistock business, which employs 50 full and part-time staff, to be an indicator.
"The business seems to have worked and grown incredibly well in Tavistock, where there was quite a lot of competition," he said. The Original Pasty House brought 50 jobs to the city centre, too, at a time when it has been hit by the decline in retail.
Last month, city centre manager Clint Jones said he expects more shops to close.
He said landlords need to look at non-retail uses for empty units, including "pop-up" art galleries, charity "outreach" centres, community use, and more mid-market restaurants, and cited the Original Pasty House as an example of an incoming business.
With Plymouth's jobless total at 6,484 last month, Mr Eadie was overwhelmed with applicants for the 25 full-time and 25 part-time post he needed filling.
"We had 450 applicants," he said. "We were amazed by the quantity and quality of applicants. We could easily have given 150 people a job." He said the applicants, ranging in age from 16-year-olds to their mid-40s, didn't just comprise people who were out of work, but "people that wanted a change".
He said the firm doesn't impose "rigid shift patterns" but offers term-time hours to suit parents, for example. "Some ladies are going to work for us while the kids are at school, and then have the summer holidays off," said Mr Eadie. "Some people wanted to work evenings, some the morning shift. We want people to work the hours they want to work, and then fit into the schedule."
Mr Eadie was formerly a management consultant in Cambridgeshire with extensive experience within the restaurant sector.
He visited Tavistock and spotted the potential of a business on West Street, bought it, despite it not being for sale, and moved his family to the South West. His ambition now is to make the Plymouth store "an integral part of the community".
4. Article written for Tavistock Times Gazette– July 13th, 2011
 Pasty House to open in city ..
THE owners of a West Devon shop are spreading their wings and will soon be serving pasties to the people of Plymouth.
Owners of Tavistock's Original Pasty House, Nigel and Janet Eadie, will be opening a shop in Plymouth later this month.
Mr Eadie said: 'We chose Plymouth for our second pasty house for a host of reasons, but primarily because so many of our Tavistock customers have been asking us to open one there for quite some time.
'We have had tremendous support and feedback from our loyal Tavistock customers and are delighted to be in a position to act on it.'
The company has invested more than £150,000 in its new outlet and the arrival of the Original Pasty House in Plymouth is expected to create 50 new jobs for the city.
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