Eden are pulling out the stops to ensure that this year’s World Pasty Championships are the biggest and best yet with a host of names added to the entertainment.

TV chef James Strawbridge and a team of top local suppliers have been creating a range of truly extraordinary pasties. Visitors to Eden’s third annual World Pasty Championships, which takes place on March 1, will be among the first to sample the extraordinary pasty range.

There are four pasties in the Eden Extraordinary range. Complementing the traditional steak pasty will be minted lamb and Cornish yoghurt, three Cornish cheeses and spicy three bean varieties.

The top-quality ingredients will be showcased during the day and James will be making a special appearance on the main stage in the Mediterranean Biome with his father Dick, who is also his co-presenter on the popular ITV series Hungry Sailors.

James will be demonstrating how the new Eden extraordinary pasties are made, as well as competing against Dick (with some help from the audience) in the Great Cornish Crimp-off. James believes he is the world’s fastest pasty crimper while Dick will be using a mechanical crimping machine to see if he can keep up with the pace.

Meanwhile there will also be a musical medley provided by Cornish rap duo Hedluv and Passman, Grapefruit Moon, and contemporary folk duo Winter Mountain.

Comedy Redruth rappers Hedluv and Passman have played at every World Pasty Championships to enraptured audiences, and entered the |competition themselves last year with a bacon and marmalade pasty.

The pasty didn’t win and the judges only made one comment – “the ingredients don’t work” – before awarding them a disappointing 38 out of 100.

They will be playing on the main stage in the Mediterranean Biome at 12.30pm.

The Championships are open to amateurs, professionals, companies and juniors and entrants can submit traditional Cornish pasties as well as more outlandish creations.

Entry costs £10 per adult |category or £5 for juniors.

Eden will be open until 9pm on the day of the World Pasty Championships with a programme including the “Oggy Oscars” awards ceremony and live music. Eden’s ice rink will also be open for the day with the last skating session starting at 8pm.

The day will also feature workshops and masterclasses from renowned pasty experts, including a session on how to make the perfect pasty pastry from top chef Martin Chiffers, formerly of The Savoy in London. There will also be a session from top beer sommelier and Guardian |journalist Sophie Atherton who will be giving tips on which beers to pair with your pasty.

See www.edenproject.co.uk for more details.