Mention a Cornish pasty in the UK, and most people living in the UK know exactly what you are talking about. A half-mooned shaped pie traditionally filled with beef, potatoes and swede. However ask an American what a Yooper Pasty is and according to Charlie Hopper today's guest, 90% of them would look at you blankly and have no idea what you were talking about. 

Today's show takes a fun dive into the passionate world of Yooper Pasties. The original recipe was brought by Cornish miners who went to work in the mines in northern Michigan or the upper peninsula (the UP). The Pasty is a traditional food in northern Michigan and is also really popular with the many visitors to the area.  

Charlie discusses how he moved from being a radio engineer in Detroit to writing a piece of software which he then sold to a large US company ultimately moving to Calumet and becoming the administrator of an older adults' care home. This move triggered his involvement in the world of pasties which the residents at the care home used to chop vegetables for.

The pasties were a favourite food of the residents as many of them were either the children of miners or retired miners themselves. Over time the home began selling pasties to raise money and ultimately became the current business Pasty Central (https://www.pasty.com/).

If you like your food and you are interested in regional foods, this is the interview for you.