As cool a First Lady as she seems, if you were a pastry chef with a flair for French baking — think lots of cream and butter and tasty "bad stuff" — creating magical desserts for uber health-conscious Michelle Obama might not be the ideal job for you. After serving as executive White House pastry chef since he was hired by Laura Bush in 2007, Bill Yosses is stepping down from his position, and everyone — including Bill — blames Michelle for his career change.
Truth is, she's just too darn healthy for Bill. And rather than continue what sounded like an awesome, but I suppose cholesterol-clogging existence of eating doughnuts for breakfast every morning and whipping up intensely delicious desserts like White House fave Hawaiian chocolate-malted ganache, Bill says Mrs. Obama has inspired him to be more healthy. So, he'll be moving on to New York City, where he'll teach children and adults about healthy eating.
Which is great. I guess. But man, if you get a look at some of the killer sweet treats this man — this artist — could create from scratch, I can't help but feel sad for the Obama's. I mean, sticky toffee pudding? Yes, please. And that famous gingerbread White House he constructed every Christmas should alone be enough to inspire Michelle to live it up once in awhile and trade her oatmeal bars for good, old-fashioned, rich desserts made with good, old-fashioned sugar.
It'll be interesting to see who replaces Bill. A master at gluten-free treats who knows his way around agave and the White House garden, perhaps?
For now, let's shed a few tears for the first family, as they will surely miss these 7 desserts that were their pastry chef's staples.
Image via Ron Sachs/Corbis
Annual Gingerbread White House
This year's gingerbread White House took about 120 hours to make — that's dedication! Each year, the dessert is proudly displayed and is one of the most highly anticipated Christmas decorations at the house. Wonder if anyone actually gets to crack off a yummy white column and sample it?
Apple & Raisin Phyllo Strudel
What does one serve the Chancellor of Germany? Strudel, of course! When the Obama's entertained Angela Merkel, Yosses whipped up a phyllo pastry filled with apple, farmer's cheese, and golden raisins. It was apparently a huge hit — no surprise there!
Brownies
The president's daughters probably gobbled up several chocolate brownies when they were kids. Though it may seem like too simple a dessert for a renowned pastry chef to create, brownies were actually on Yosses' baking list.
Devil's Food Chocolate Cake
Who doesn't love chocolate layered with chocolate and topped with more chocolate?
Coconut Cake
After all that heavy and rich chocolate, Yosses understood that it's sometimes good to take a break and enjoy a lighter, fluffier dessert like an always delightful and elegant coconut cake.
Toffee Pudding
Yosses was big on traditional desserts, like a sticky toffee pudding that sounds like absolute heaven.
Lemon Meringue Pudding
How, oh how, did Michelle resist lemon steamed pudding with custard, mousse, and cake layers? Is this woman made out of steel?
