Why Pasties? - Our Story
The 'Ansum Pasty Co. was founded to bring the authentic taste of the Cornish pasty to New Zealand. Adam Rickett wanted to bring back the nostalgia, love for good food and passion for making quality pasties that was sparked while living in Cornwall when he was younger.
Adam’s culinary journey began when he was just a teenager, training as a chef in St Austell, Cornwall. There he mastered the skills of that trade that would take him around the world.
In 2009, Adam relocated to New Zealand, quickly making a name for himself in fine dining. Adam worked as Head Chef at renowned restaurants The Matterhorn, Pravda Café and Grill and The Boatshed Boutique Hotel on Waiheke Island. Yet, despite his culinary success, he felt a persistent pull towards his roots. “No matter how far you go, some things never leave you. The pasty is one of those things. After years in New Zealand, I knew I wanted to bring that tradition here.”
Over the next two decades, Adam led kitchens in some of New Zealand’s finest restaurants, including a row as the executive chef of the renowned Euro Bar and Restaurant in Auckland. His experience in professional kitchens shaped him into a one of New Zealand's greatest chefs where his desire to share his past and his passion for creating meaningful food took hold.
Adam gets busy at Jervois Steak House Queenstown kitchen with Simon Gault
In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 lockdown, Adam founded The ‘Ansum Pasty Co., driven by a desire to reconnect people with this timeless tradition. “I wanted to deliver a taste of the past, and not just my past, but everyone’s past. I’m convinced that the nostalgia of a pasty is all about the Pastry. It’s the smell. Even if you haven’t even left the country, a pasty offers something familiar that really speaks to you and creates an experience. Everyone should experience that.”
Today, The ‘Ansum Pasty Co. caters to both wholesale and retail markets in Auckland, and now online deliveries. Adam believes the time is right to introduce Kiwis to the pasty’s appeal. “New Zealanders love hearty and reliable food. The pasty is just that — simple, satisfying, and guaranteed to hit the spot. It’s bigger than a pie.”
You can find 'Ansum pasties at the Catalina Bay Farmers market, Kumeu and Longbay Markets, as well as here, through home delivery and wholesale. And while the business continues to grow, the heart of the company remains the same — bringing a piece of Cornwall to New Zealand, one pasty at a time.
