Feb 09. Cabinet War Rooms commemorates its 70th anniversary with Austerity Britain Canapés
In times of reduced budgets and not wanting to look too decadent, one London venue has resurrected World War Two ingredients for dinners and drinks receptions – the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms are introducing Austerity Britain canapés, inspired by the 1940’s.
This year, the Cabinet War Rooms commemorates the 70th anniversary of their wartime opening on the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 and the 25th anniversary of their opening to the public as a heritage site of international importance. So when is there a better time to honour this occasion with exciting period style canapés complemented with Pol Roger Champagne, Churchill’s favourite tipple!
Austerity Britain canapés include classics such as Spam on Beetroot Blinis with Carrot Jam, Corned Beef Rissoles, Potato Cakes with Fish Paste and Mini Prune Flan and can be chosen to accompany pre-dinner drinks or as part of a greater canapé selection for receptions.
Recently redesigned and refitted, the Harmsworth Room gives clients the opportunity to party in a unique historic setting, steeped in the atmosphere of a wartime bunker, but with all the creature comforts of a modern venue. The newly refurbished Switch Room is perfect for smaller gatherings and dinner parties. The venues can be decorated with wartime dressing, including netting, gas masks, billy cans, authentic trunks and sandbags, and waiting staff can be dressed in military and 1940’s dress.
Additional services include a range of private tours, available for groups of 10 – 20 people. Guests are given privileged VIP access into the Cabinet Room and Map Room and an historic overview of the site. To add colour and excitement to the evening, professional jitterbug dancers present a lively and entertaining demonstration in how to jitterbug.
After dinner speakers are also available. Phil Reed has been Director of the Cabinet War Rooms for 16 years and was the driving force behind the creation of the Churchill Museum. Guests will gain an in-depth and entertaining insight into the historic events that took place in the Cabinet War Rooms with numerous vignettes of the Rooms’ most famous resident, Winston Churchill. Celia Sandys was twenty-one when Sir Winston died. She was very close to her grandfather, having spent many of her school holidays in his company and accompanying him on several of his later travels. Celia provides a unique and truly personal insight into this Titan of 20th century history.
The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, located by St James’s Park, is arguably one of the most historically important sites in the modern era. The Cabinet War Rooms were the secret underground headquarters where Winston Churchill, his War Cabinet and staff worked and lived during the Second World War. The rooms were in operation round the clock from the outbreak of the war in 1939 to its end in 1945. The Churchill Museum, which Her Majesty the Queen opened in 2005, uses cutting-edge technology and multimedia displays to bring the exciting achievements of Winston Churchill to life.
The nearest tube stations are Westminster and St James’s Park. Charing Cross Train Station is less than a mile away.
Notes to editors:
• The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms are open daily to explore from 9.30am - 6.00pm, last admission at 5.00pm. Admission charges to the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms: Adults: £12.95, children under 16: FREE, seniors/students: £10.40. Free personal sound guides are provided for each visitor.
• The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms is a branch of the Imperial War Museum.
• If you would like to view our newly refurbished rooms, please book a show round by calling Catherine Hutchings on 020 7766 0149 or cwr@sodexo.com.
• For images or more information contact Camilla Hutchinson on milly@millyhutchinson.co.uk