Roland Mesnier.Photo: TIM SLOAN/AFP via Getty
Former presidents and first ladies are mourning the loss of longtime White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier, who died on Friday at the age of 78.
The White House Historical Associationannounced Mesnier’s death in a statement on its website, saying the chef died “August 26, 2022, following a short illness.”
According to the association, Mesnier’s career began at age 14, when he left home “with a cardboard suitcase and five francs” to work as an apprentice at the Patisserie Maurivard in Besançon, France.
Mesnier’s White House tenure spanned five presidencies. The French-born chef was hired duringJimmy Carter’s presidency and retired in 2004 underGeorge W. Bush.
As White House pastry chef, Mesnier was best known for his fruit desserts, and his ornate gingerbread White Houses that came to life each holiday season.
“Roland Mesnier was a master chef and a delightful man,” former PresidentBill Clintonwrote. “His endless list of unique creations made every White House meal special, from State dinners to family birthdays to evening meals with desserts he knew Chelsea, Hillary and I loved. His life and work were blessings to many.”
Former first ladyHillary Clintonshared her own fond memories of the chef, writing that Mesnier “loved making people smile with his beautiful creations, including his famous gingerbread houses at Christmas. He will be missed!”
The Clintons' daughter,Chelsea, also shared her condolences, along with a photo of she and Mesnier taken when she was first daughter.
The Reagan Institute echoed the sentiment, saying Mesnier’s “passion, commitment, and love for his work will always be remembered.”
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Mesnier has spoken openly about the impact of his time in the White House, saying in one public appearance that he became a naturalized U.S. citizen with the encouragement of Ms. Carter, whorecently turned 95.
“I left my home one morning as a French man, and returned the same evening as an American citizen,” Mesnier said, during a2016 talk at Samford University. “Only in America can you get such a gift.”
source: people.com
