AFTERNOON TEA

This is a unique spy-themed ‘sharing’ chocolate cake made to look like the pocket watch, modeled after “the watch that won the war” according to Churchill – the GSTP. This legendary pocket watch was used by the British Army and MI9 in WWII to help troops carry out espionage and sabotage, and to aid their escape if caught.

Odette Sansom was an agent for the SOE in France during WWII. She was the first woman to be awarded the George Cross in the UK and was awarded the Legion d’Honneur by France. Sansom arrived in France in November 1942 and worked as a courier with the Spindle Network of SOE. Despite her role in espionage, Odette was known to remain graceful and composed. Elderflower has a delicate, floral quality that ties her spirit to this sweet treat.

Christine Granville was a Polish spy of the British SOE during WWII. She became celebrated for her daring exploits in intelligence and irregular-warfare missions in occupied Poland and France. She was the first female agent of the British to serve in the field and the longest serving of all Britain’s wartime women agents. Within her name, you will find the word Vanille, or Vanilla in English. A nod to her time in France and her fluent French, this pastry contains notes of this spice.

Virginia Hall Goillot was a famous American-born spy, working in France. She was the first female agent to take up residence in France in August 1941. Over the next 15 months, she organised resistance movements, supplied agents with money, weapons and supplies, helped downed airmen to escape and offered safe houses and medical assistance to wounded agents and pilots. She grew up not far from a bakery and during this time, she snacked on simple cookies made from chocolate and shortbread, inspiring this pastry.

Vera May Atkins was a Romanian-born British spy who worked in the France section of the SOE from 1941 to 1945 during WWII. She took on many roles as a spy, including recruiting, training, and planning secret operations in France. She recruited many top female spies and managed to decipher coded German messages that no one else could. She was said to be the inspiration behind M, the famous character from Ian Fleming’s James Bond. M.. the first letter of Maple and a key ingredient for this pastry.