Roland Mesnier
Cite this Page
"Roland Mesnier," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/1248.
- Position
- Pastry Chef
- Years in President's House
- 1979 – 2004
- Biography
- Roland Mesnier spent over 25 years as the White House Executive Pastry Chef, becoming the Executive Mansion’s longest tenured chef. Having served five presidents, Mesnier saw many of the first families as regular people.
After coming to the United States in 1976, the French-born Mesnier was hired by First Lady Rosalynn Carter in 1979. Despite his rigorous schedule Mesnier spent his off days at L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda, Maryland, teaching his craft to students of the Pastry Arts Program. Still, Mesnier pulled off his greatest accomplishments within the confines of the White House.
He was perhaps best known for his work with gingerbread and was often tasked with preparing the White House Gingerbread House
- Related Association Content
- https://www.whitehousehistory.org/galleries/state-dinner-desserts
- Educational Resources
- The White House is known for its beautiful and tasty desserts. These treats are served at special events,
state dinners, and holiday parties. Get your own taste of White House desserts by making former Executive
Pastry Chef Ronald Mesnier’s cookie recipe below!
- The White House State Dinner
A State Dinner honoring a visiting head of government or reigning monarch is one of the grandest and most glamorous of White House affairs. It is part of an official state visit and provides the president and first lady the opportunity to honor the visiting head of state and his or her spouse. In this short video, learn the history of State Dinners and get an inside look on all the preparation that goes into these meaningful diplomatic events.