In one of the more bizarre stories in the news today, White House pastry chef Bill Yosses has resigned. In an interview with the New York Times, Yosses explained the decision to leave the White House as “bittersweet.” While he enjoyed working with “inspiring” First Lady Michelle Obama, he no longer wants to “demonize cream, butter, sugar and eggs.” On radio this morning, Glenn reacted to the “insane” resignation.
“So the White House pastry chef has had enough,” Glenn said. “You want to talk about an out-of-control country? ‘I refuse to demonize eggs, sugar, cream, and butter.’ That is the most insane statement I've ever heard. [It’s] implying you have been demonizing them because somebody has been making you demonize them.”
Former First Lady Laura Bush hired Yosses in 2007. According to the New York Times, Yosses was acclaimed in New York “for the raspberry and pear soufflés he created at restaurants like Montrachet and Bouley” prior to joining the White House staff. When the Obama’s arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in January 2009, he “began moving beyond the traditional sugar sculptures and cookie plates.” Instead, Yosses was “directed to make more healthful desserts, and in smaller portions, that were to be served only sparingly to the first family.”
As Stu pointed out, Yosses attempts to hedge some of the speculation about his departure in the New York Times story, explaining he is headed back to New York “with an aim to teach children and adults about eating better.” But Glenn isn’t buying it.
“What better place to teach kids about eating healthy than right next to Michelle Obama, who wants to teach kids about eating healthy,” Glenn asked. “If you really believed that she was on the right track at all, you would stay there. If you decided you wanted to leave, you would say, ‘The First Lady has made such an impact, and I think I can make a greater impact or a secondary impact by joining her fight outside of the White House’… [But] what he's saying with [his] statement is: She's nuts.”
Meanwhile, the First Lady has responded to Yosses’ departure with the following statement:
“I am also so grateful to him for his outstanding work, not just as the White House pastry chef, producing the most delectable creations for everything from birthday celebrations to state visits, but also as a key partner helping us get the White House kitchen garden off the ground and building a healthier future for our next generation. I wish Bill and his husband, Charlie, all the best in their future endeavors.”
“Listen to this,” Glenn concluded. “Here's what she says: ‘He was instrumental in getting the White House more healthy.’ Was he now? Because he just said, ‘I refuse to demonize eggs and cream and sugar anymore.’ That's incredible. Great story."
Read the New York Times report HERE.