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Raffles London at The OWO

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Secrets & Spies

This unique afternoon tea pays homage to the secret history and the characters associated with the former Old War Office – today known as The OWO and home to Raffles London. The building played its part in the evolution of the Military Intelligence Service into its modern form of MI5 and MI6. 20th century spies were briefed here.

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Afternoon Tea
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Raffles London at The OWO
Afternoon Tea

Secrets & Spies

The Old War Office building played a significant role in British history and some of the nation’s most important leaders, statesmen and influencers have walked these halls. During the Second World War, candidate spies for the Special Operations Executive (SOE) were interviewed and briefed in the basement, whilst MI9 was formed here. Conceptualised by Executive Chef Roger Olsson and Executive Pastry Chef Dale DeSimone, the team were inspired by this spy heritage.

pastries

The inspiration

Our chefs worked closely together to curate the unique afternoon tea with cakes and pastries championing a spy pocket watch and the bravery of female spies, many of whom have suites named after them within Raffles London.

pastries

The inspiration

Our chefs worked closely together to curate the unique afternoon tea with cakes and pastries championing a spy pocket watch and the bravery of female spies, many of whom have suites named after them within Raffles London.

Time to Spy

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

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

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

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

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.

(44) 20 3907 7500

London@Raffles.com

Raffles London at The OWO

Whitehall

London SW1A 2BX

United Kingdom

(44) 20 3907 7500

London@Raffles.com

Raffles London at The OWO

Whitehall

London SW1A 2BX

United Kingdom

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