White House Chef Spills the Beans on Presidential Eating
18 Comments | Written on January 10, 2012 at 1:00 pm, by Lesley Kennedy
courtesy of White House Historical Association
Hungry for some dish on the eating habits of America’s top politicians? Thank goodness Roland Mesnier is serving up the presidential culinary gossip.
The Washington Post reports the 24-year White House pastry chef veteran, who left in 2004, spoke at the Washington Winter Show antique showcase recently, giving his audience an insider’s look at what the Bushes, Clintons, Carters, and Reagans dined on.
Take Nancy Reagan. According to the newspaper, Mesnier says it was the First Lady’s way “or the highway.”
“Forget about compliments—if she didn’t complain, that was a compliment,” he said, the Post reports. “But I loved her to death. She was a perfectionist.” (Pictured above, in a 1982 photo, is Mrs. Reagan with chef Mesnier, left, and chief chef Henry Haller.)
Just don’t try to serve her hubby chocolate. The newspaper adds that Mesnier said the sweet treat was forbidden—although he managed to sneak Reagan steak, macaroni and cheese, and chocolate mousse (his number one meal ) when Nancy wasn’t around.
“That was a very happy man,” Mesnier said, according to the Post.
Things were, well, cheesier with the Carters. Mesnier said Rosalynn Carter wanted her family’s molded cheese ring on White House buffets, according to the newspaper.
“That thing was so nasty,” Mesnier said to his audience. “It was a mixture of Muenster, cheddar, all the stickiest cheese you could find, mixed with onions, capers and strawberry jam in the middle . . . It was a secret family recipe that no one tried to steal.”
And, then, there was the case of the Russian caviar. The Post reports Mesnier told the tale of two giant tins of the coveted stuff that had been delivered to the White House by Mikhail Gorbachev. Sadly, the newspaper notes, food sent to the president and his family is destroyed in the name of security.
“I looked at the other chef and said: ‘I don’t know about you, buddy, but I’m willing to die for what’s inside’,” Mesnier told the crowd. “ ‘So I’m taking one home, and you can have the other one.’ ”
Just think: If only Nancy had been out of town, perhaps ol’ Ronald could have snuck both caviar and chocolate. Hey, maybe a happy belly is the real key to world peace.
Try President Regan’s favorite meal with these recipes for steak, macaroni and cheese, and chocolate mousse.
Categories:
Food News | Tags: Macaroni and Cheese, Pastries, Steak
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18 Responses to “White House Chef Spills the Beans on Presidential Eating”
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RE: Obama…I am so sick of this color thing…no one in their responses referred to his color as being the problem(except the ones who whined and pulled the race card)….it is the PERSON they are referring to not the color of his skin….get over yourself!
it’s called malotto
I am so tired of Obama being referred to as our first black president. Folks, he is half black and half white which makes him mixed race which I have no problem with. I do admit he looks more black than white. Why was he not referred to as our first white president who is also black? Just sayin
I cannot agree with you more. I have said the same thing many times. It applies to many mixed race people. Why do they always claim to be black when they are as much white as black?
As long as they keep refering to the color”BLACK” in all their statements on any subject ,there will always be a race problem in this country! The blacks have and do handcuff themselves while blaming everyone else for their woes! Just get over it and start being”AMERICANS”!
Historically, the one drop rule was used. If it can be shown that you had 1 drop of “Negro” in you then you were considered black. Usually, when a person is asked to define their race, they pick the race they most identify with, either thru upbringing or the one that they have the most racial characteristics of. In this case Obama clearly has more black features then white features and has always presented himself as “black”. He should not have to change that to be President.
Everybody has something good inside,try to see it for it will make you a better person,from Reagan to Obama,stop all this hate talk and name calling.Grow up and live a little.Love America.
Good sense there, Edwin. Couldn’t agree more! If people would only look at each other as Americans and try loving each other, we can survive any crisis. As Americans united we can do anything!
What an ignoramus that chef is to say those things about Rosalynn Carter’s cheese ring. I have made it many times and it is always a hit–beautiful to look at but also delicious. The recipe has appeared in many Southern cookbooks. Could this chef have a little anti-Southern prejudice??
You’re a kook.
That’s funny that Mrs Obama tends a garden… especially since the White House had had a garden since 1800 and Mrs. Obama had no gardening experience prior to coming to the White House. Not to mention that Mrs. Obama will critique the nation and their eating habits then chow down on a whole rack of ribs, now that’s healthy. I like honesty best.
Re: Krissy – Mr Obama is a smoker! Not exactly the picture of health, either one! Hypocrits!
Why don’t you just admit you are a racist and get it over witth? Get over it you have a black president embrace it, make it yours.
You should really get over your anger issues, Krissy. Mrs. Obama looks healthier than most Americans, and encourages healthy eating, which doesn’t mean you can’t have an indulgent meal now and then. Really, healthy eating is better for all Americans, it reduces health issues and insurance/medical costs as America has just gotten fatter and fatter. As for the garden, I didn’t know you needed “experience” to try gardening! Whether you like their politics or not, the Obamas are nice people. You (and others) should really look inside yourself to see why you need to criticize every aspect of their lives. It just makes you look small.
the good news is that you will have four more years to whine and bellyache about total BS
“Mrs. Obama, who had no prior experience in gardening, was motivated to start a garden when she realized her daughters Malia and Sasha were not receiving daily nutritious meals. ”
It is true that she did not have any gardening experience. I suppose that means she shouldn’t learn now that she is in her 40s? People can continually improve themselves and try to lead by example. As well, if you do eat healthy, that does not preclude eating anything else. It’s all about moderation.
There are many Americans,less privilege going hungry to bed!Nancy Reagan is maybe a kind lady to some but she had a frosty relationship with her own daughter!They were like terrorizing one another in the past!I’ve heard they are okay now!All that nancy luxury food habit that I don’t applaud!She was once adopted by a surgeon stepfather who was not her own Dad!All the luxury food strappings makes me sick!Mrs.Obama grows her own veggies,that I can’t say about Nancy!