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A traditional Coventry delicacy has proved a big hit with VIPs – at the British Embassy in Thailand!

Coventry God Cakes were so popular they were gone within minutes after guests tried the tempting pastries at an exclusive function in Bangkok.

The cakes - a sort of tart with a filling and cut in a triangle - were the lip-smacking star of a night celebrating Britishness.

Coventrian Chris Thatcher, the Vice Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Thailand, helped to organise the function for hundreds of guests.

Chris, a former headteacher at Potters Green School, said local businesses sponsored the event by providing food, drink and British products.

He said: “The stars of the show for some were the cars and motorbikes. Jaguar provided a top of the range saloon, McLaren, a super car, Triumph, six Thai manufactured bikes.

“For some it was the British beer and British foods provided by local sponsors. But for me it was the Coventry God Cakes!”

Chris, who lives in Thailand after retiring in 2001, was asked to contribute some suggestions for British-themed food for the Chamber’s annual Garden Party to celebrate anything from the UK.

Despite having never seen or tasted them, he jokingly suggested Coventry God Cakes – and was hugely surprised when one of the sponsoring hotels included them on their menu.

For nearly 400 people, including many Thais, it was their first taste of Coventry at the British Embassy Garden.

Chris said: “One of Bangkok’s top hotels, the Shangri-La, took on the challenge of finding out how to make them and included them in the food provided.

“It’s a wonderful venue in itself and made even better for me by the inclusion of Coventry God Cakes. It’s ironic that it has taken me so long to try them and taste them and it had to be in Bangkok.

“If you were to close your eyes during the event, it would be hard not to imagine you were back in the UK - except for the weather of course as it was very hot!”

Chris sent in a picture to capture the moment for posterity and to share with Coventry Telegraph readers. He said: “Sadly the cakes were so good that by the time that the picture was finally taken they had disappeared!”

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The event also held another surprise for Chris as among the guests were two people from Coventry.

He met Peter Hogan, the new headteacher of an international school in Bangkok, and son of Jane Hogan, the former headteacher of St Thomas More’s Infant School (1973-84), who is now 90 and still living and active in Coventry.

The first prize in the draw was won by Jonathan Fryer, also from Coventry.

Chris said: “For a small community of business people living and working in Bangkok, Coventry is well represented!”

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God Cakes are a tradition unique to Coventry dating back to at least the 14th century.

They are a fruit and spice-filled pastry cut in a triangle, with the three sides said to represent the holy trinity, an idea reinforced by the three cuts or slashes in the top of the cake.

Godparents would present the cakes to their godchildren as a blessing for the year ahead.

In 2012, Coventry God Cakes were officially relaunched in the city at Coventry Transport Museum and are available from Esquires Coffee House inside the museum.