Former White House pastry chef will give lecture at Packard Hall

Staff report

WARREN

Chef Roland Mesnier will give a lecture at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Packard Music Hall as part of the Trumbull Town Hall series. Tickets are $25 at the door.

Mesnier, a French-born pastry chef and culinary writer, was the executive pastry chef for 25 years (1979-2004) at the White House, where he earned a reputation as a creative genius.

His mother secured an apprenticeship for him when he was 14 at a pastry shop in Besancon, France, where Mesnier worked from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. six days a week. This is where he was first exposed to puff pastry and chocolate molding, which would become the foundation for his future specialties.

After completing his apprenticeship at age 17, he began working in a restaurant and pastry shop in Paris. He then moved to West Germany, where he learned more-advanced techniques and also mastered the German and English languages.

At the White House, Mesnier molded and shaped the pastry kitchen.

In his lecture at Packard Hall, Mesnier will share an insider look at working with the first ladies and White House staff in planning state dinners, where the guests were royalty.

Two of his books will be available for purchase before the program: “White House Recipes” ($35) and “Dessert Recipes” ($40).

For information about purchasing season tickets for the Trumbull Town Hall series or single tickets to any one event, contact Laraine DeCristofaro or Kathy Lepro at 330-373-1900.