Satisfying the WH Sweet Tooth

ABC’s Bret Hovell blogs about the latest turnover: News-wise, it has been a relatively quiet day so far at the White House. No huge headlines out of the on-camera press briefing this afternoon, and this morning’s less formal press gaggle was notable for an extended conversation about what the President calls his adversaries across the aisle. But from east side of the White House comes a headline sure to satisfy the First Family’s sweet tooth. The First Lady has hired a new Executive Pastry Chef named Bill Yosses. He’ll be in charge of “designing and executing dessert menus for state dinner, social events…receptions and official luncheons,” according to the White House. He’d also be the one to oversee any late night ice cream requests from the residence, even if he doesn’t do the scooping himself. (At left, a White House photo of Yosses in the pastry kitchen.)
Yosses joined the White House staff as the Pastry Chef for the 2006 holiday season, where he evidentially won over the first family. Prior to that, he helped open up Paul Newman’s restaurant in Westport, Connecticut, which utilizes local, organic food sources. That experience should serve him well on the First Lady’s staff, who is reported to be a fan of all-natural foods. Yosses also operated the pastry department at Tavern on the Green and worked under chefs Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller. Mrs. Bush’s office didn’t release any information on the First Family’s favorite sweets, but in the press release announcing Yosse’s hiring, Mrs. Bush commended his “light touch with desserts.” That’s sure to hit the spot on a light news day.