Obamas' Personal Chef, White House Beer Maker to Bid Farewell
Sam Kass leaves after six years advising President and Mrs. Obama on nutrition.
— -- The personal chef of President and Mrs. Obama, who is also a close adviser on nutrition issues and founder of the White House beer-making operation, is leaving his post after six years.
Sam Kass, who is also executive director of the First Lady's "Let's Move!" initiative, will move to New York City at the end of the year, the White House announced. Kass recently married MSNBC anchor Alex Wagner who resides in New York.
“From constructing our Kitchen Garden to brewing our own Honey Brown Ale, Sam has left an indelible mark on the White House,” President Obama said in a statement. “And with the work he has done to inspire families and children across this country to lead healthier lives, Sam has made a real difference for our next generation."
Earlier this year, Kass gave ABC News a tour of the White House kitchen garden, a project he helped start back in 2009. “It inspires everything that we cook,” he said.
In addition to boasting a hearty variety of vegetables, herbs, and fruits, the garden also helps support pollinators, like bees and butterflies.
Honey from the first-ever White House bee hive has been used to brew craft ales and packaged as gifts.
“It's amazing,” Kass said of the honey. "We got about 200 pounds out of our hive last year.”
Sam Kass' Seared Tilapia With Fried Rice and Broccoli and Carrots