Sure, he chatted about the importance of healthy eating, but former White House executive pastry chef Roland Mesnier couldn’t resist outing former President Clinton as he talked on Tuesday to those attending the National Archives preview of “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” — an exhibit that explores the government’s effect on food.
“We had President Clinton, who was allergic to dairy products, chocolate and flour, so that leaves very little for the pastry chef to go on, but he loved desserts at the same time,” Mesnier said. “I used to do a special dessert for him, especially when the family ordered a chocolate cake or something for dinner.” Unfortunately for Mesnier, the president often just wanted his chocolate cake. “I would say, ‘Sir, you know you can’t,’ and he would say, ‘I am the president of the United States, so pass it down.’ ”
Mesnier joined folks from the archives to unveil the exhibit, which displays items like the 1943 food wheel (who knew butter was once an entire food group?) and Queen Elizabeth II’s recipe for scones. The exhibit opens Friday.
