Meet the people behind Phat Pasty – the company that breaks new ground

The Phat Pasty Co have been a part of the Sustainable Supplier Scheme since 2017 and were the first savoury pasty company to adopt Food for Life standards across their products. In fact, this is one of many ‘firsts’, with Phat leading the way in so many different areas.

Founded by husband and wife team Paul and Laura Clark, who started the business from their kitchen table and a converted campervan back in 2006, the brand has grown exponentially and is now established as one of the leading UK foodservice suppliers of hand-made pasties, pies, sausage rolls and savoury treats.

Paul and Laura continue to run Phat Pasty today and we sat down with them to hear more about how they got involved with Food for Life, their commitment to British ingredients, their recent B-Corp accreditation and how they stay ahead of the crowd.

We’ve noticed all of your range is produced using British farm-assured meats. Why is the provenance of products so important to Phat?

It’s often difficult for consumers to know exactly where their food comes from. Some brands claim their products are British when, in reality, only a small ingredient - often not even the main one - meets that standard. Some state ‘Made in UK’ and this can cause confusion with operators and customers. We want to be open and transparent with our customers. If we say our products are British, we believe they should be truly British.

That’s why all our Phat pasties, pies, and sausage rolls are made with British farm-assured meats. This not only gives consumers confidence in the food they’re eating but also supports British farmers. But we don’t stop there. Our Traditional Cornish Pasty contains 17% beef skirt - well above the standard of 12.5% for a ‘Cornish Pasty’ - while our Seriously Cheesy Pasty is packed with West Country Cheddar, Red Leicester, and a rich, creamy béchamel sauce. We also use only free-range eggs and sustainably sourced palm oil.

We’re always looking for ways to make our products even better - full of goodness and quality ingredients.

There is a growing demand for plant-based products. How have you adapted your range?

We’ve led the way in the rise of vegan products, becoming the first to introduce a fully plant-based pasty. Our Keralan Cauliflower, Chickpea & Onion Bhaji Pasty launched over six years ago, and it’s remained a bestseller ever since.

Our plant-based and vegetarian range continues to grow, now making up 50% of our offering. More and more consumers, including those who still eat meat, are incorporating plant-based options into their diets as they look to reduce meat consumption and make more sustainable choices.

We bring the same commitment to quality and flavour to our plant-based products as we do to our meat-based range. Standout creations like our Butternut Squash, Spinach & Vegan Feta Pasty and Spicy Cauliflower Balti Pie showcase bold, delicious flavours that set us apart.

Last year we added a range of gluten free pies to our range and this also includes a Mushroom Bourguignon Pie which is vegan and suitable for coeliacs.

We are the first pasty company to earn accreditation from the Vegetarian Society’s Plant-Based Trademark - another milestone in our journey of breaking new ground.

We heard you recently became B-Corp accredited. How did you celebrate?

By the end of the process we were exhausted. It took us and the team over 18 months to conduct a full review of everything we do, so our first thought was to lie down and take a well-earned rest! The application was rigorous, and the journey was long, but the hard work paid off. We were incredibly proud to be recognised, especially as the first Cornish pasty company to achieve B Corp™ status.

Our unwavering commitment to using British meats and natural ingredients played a key role, as did our dedication to social and environmental initiatives. Our Supplier Membership of the Soil Association further demonstrated our ethos and this certainly helped us in our submissions.

Since 2019, we’ve partnered with The Word Forest Organisation, an environmental charity that plants trees, builds classrooms, and supports education in Kenya. Thanks to our donations, nearly 25,000 fast-growing, predominantly food-bearing trees have been planted, collectively sequestering 6,094 tonnes of CO2 - helping to offset our carbon footprint and combat climate change.

We’re also giving back closer to home. During Cornish Pasty Week 2025, we’ll be supporting Devon and Cornwall Food Action, donating 5p from every pasty sold.

For us, doing the right thing - for our products, people, and the planet - has always been at the heart of what we do. Achieving B Corp™ status was the culmination of years of dedication, and we’re just getting started. One of our sayings is “Eat Well. Have Fun. Do Good.”

You are often the first to do things – how to you stay ahead of everyone else?

We’ve never been ones to follow the crowd - we set out to break new ground from day one. Whether it’s launching the first fully plant-based pasty, becoming the first Cornish pasty company to achieve B Corp™ status, or earning accreditation from the Vegetarian Society’s Plant-Based Trademark. We thrive on leading the way.

For us, innovation isn’t just about new flavours or products; it’s about pushing boundaries in quality, sustainability, and responsibility. We believe in doing things properly, making real commitments to the planet, and continuously challenging ourselves to be better. Being first isn’t the goal - doing the right thing is. But when you stay true to your values and keep striving for more, the milestones naturally follow.

For anyone who may want to stock Plat Pasty products, the range is available nationally via the main foodservice wholesalers, with impactful point of sales materials and other support packages to assist caterers. For more information contact phatcontroller@phatpasty.com