On the morning of 7 May 2006, Tottenham should have been focused solely on the Champions League. Instead, much of the squad were trying to work out whether they could even take the field: several players had been struck down by severe stomach trouble, and the hotel's lasagne almost immediately became the prime suspect.
That was how one of the most famous football curiosities of the 2000s, Lasagne-gate, was born.
Going into the final round of the 2005/06 season, Tottenham were fourth, ahead of Arsenal. Victory over West Ham would have guaranteed Martin Jol's side a place in Champions League qualifying, regardless of their rivals' result.
Before the match, the players stayed at the Marriott West India Quay hotel in Canary Wharf. The team ate dinner in a private room that evening. The menu was typical for professional athletes: meat, chicken, pasta and other dishes agreed with the club.
But at around 5am, chaos began.
One by one, players began complaining of vomiting, diarrhoea and severe weakness. Reports at the time said around ten footballers had developed symptoms.
Michael Carrick, Robbie Keane, Edgar Davids, Aaron Lennon, Michael Dawson and Teemu Tainio were among those who fell ill.
Jol later joked that it was easier to list those who felt fine.
The situation was so serious that Tottenham asked the Premier League to postpone the match.
Playing the following day or at least moving kick-off to a later time were both discussed.
But there were further complications. Police did not want a substantial delay to kick-off amid concerns that supporters would spend extra hours in pubs near the stadium.
In the end, the match went ahead as scheduled.
Some players were still feeling unwell immediately before taking the field.
Meanwhile, an investigation had begun.
The club contacted police, the players were tested and leftover food was sent for analysis.
The press quickly found a prime suspect.
Lasagne.
The dish became so closely associated with the story that the whole episode became known as Lasagne-gate.
Tottenham had no better luck on the pitch.
West Ham took the lead and Jermain Defoe equalised, but the hosts scored again in the second half.
Tottenham lost 2-1.
On the same day, Arsenal played their final match at the old Highbury and beat Wigan 4-2.
As a result, Arsene Wenger's side overtook Tottenham to take fourth place.
The night of widespread illness had coincided with the loss of a place in the Champions League.
Various theories began to emerge.
Fans suspected deliberate poisoning, jokes circulated online about Arsene Wenger disguised as a chef, and Tottenham even demanded a replay.
The Premier League refused.
The most interesting finding came later.
The lasagne, by then the subject of a football legend, was most likely not responsible for the illness at all.
Tests on the food found no convincing evidence of food poisoning.
Norovirus was, however, detected in several people who were tested.
Tottenham later said the virus was considered the most likely cause of the outbreak.
No proven sabotage.
No poisoned lasagne.
No secret chef who supported Arsenal.
Just a virus that appeared at a particularly unfortunate time.
But the name Lasagne-gate outlasted the medical findings.
Years later, the story is still retold as the day lasagne cost Tottenham a place in the Champions League.
Yet the facts are more absurd still.
Ten players fell ill.
Police were called to the hotel.
Food was sent for analysis.
The club demanded a replay.
Fans suspected a conspiracy.
And the chief suspect in the football story remains a dish that the official investigation never found to be responsible.
