Grandmother’s fantastic pastries earn her international acclaim

Agrandmother was named world champion for her incredible Kentish Knocker pastries. Jill Martin, 68, said it was ‘one of the best days of my life’ when she was announced the winner of the World Championship Pasty Competition for her Betteshanger Big Breakfast Kentish Knockers, metro.co.uk wrote.

Jill’s bacon, sausage and egg parcel topped The Open Savoury category — one of the two main categories of the day along with the Cornish Pastry class.

The retired sales manager also won third prize at the contest, held at the Eden Project in Cornwall, Southwest England, for her Tilmanstone Topper pasty — a cheese, onion and apple variety.

She said, “Retirement is the best door that has even opened.

“Winning was mind blowing — I was absolutely bowled over, absolutely beside myself. It was one of the best days of my life.

“If you love cooking you want to share it with people and when they love what you do it’s the icing on the cake.”

Competing in the ‘professional’ category because she sells the Knockers at Deal’s Friday and Saturday markets, she beat off competition from hundreds of others.

The passionate cook started her own homemade takeaway business The Town Kitchen in February 2016.

The pasties are an homage to Kent’s miners — particularly Jill’s father-in-law Ronald Martin, who retired from the pit at 65 and died three years later. The name stems from ‘the knocker’, the mythical creature who would knock on the mine walls just before cave-ins.

To give thanks for these warnings, and to avoid future peril, miners would cast the last bite of their tasty pasties into the mines for the knockers to enjoy. They are shaped like traditional Cornish pasties, and are crimped on the side, but are less sturdy and can be filled with whatever the cook would like.

Jill and her husband of more than 45 years, Geoff, were prevented from attending the event last year due to the Beast from the East.

But this year they traveled seven-and-ahalf-hours with the pastry parcels to compete on March 2.

Jill transported two of the five different varieties she entered — one to be presented to the judges while the other was put on show for the 8,000 spectators in attendance.

Having been cooked to perfection the day before, they were carefully packed in cool boxes with ice pack.

She initially thought she’d only received third place before her name was called a second time, as the overall winner.

She said, “Geoff’s father would be delighted — it’s ironic that he spent most of his life at Betteshanger colliery and ended up at Tilmanstone and they were the two that won.

“Cornwall has a famous pasty, why has the Garden of England not got one? Well it has now.”

She added, “It’s not just the pasties. It’s the story as well.

“I can’t explain how proud I am for the Kent miners, for the town, for the passion I put into my cooking.

“I’m a great believer in home cooked food. I believe it’s the foundation of good health and happiness.

“It’s only little old me in my little old kitchen, but you must believe in yourself.”

Jill’s other Knockers include hot tuna or ham, egg and chips — there’s also a chunky fish finger with cheesy mash option.

Due to their growing popularity she has converted a bedroom in her home for storage and also invested in portable oven to ensure she can serve them hot.