Roland Mesnier, pastry chef at the White House for the last quarter-century passes away at 78

French-born pastry chef Roland Mesnier passed away August 26th at 78-years-old.  He started his apprenticeship at 14, receiving $1 per month.
He was offered a job at the White House in 1979 after first lady Rosalynn Carter was pleased with his promise to focus on lighter desserts featuring fruit.  He spent a quarter-century whipping up desserts for five presidents and numerous dignitaries and never served the same dish twice.
His son George Mesnier stated that Roland passed away from cancer complications in an assisted-living home in the town of Burke in Northern Virginia.