Roland Mesnier, White House Pastry Chef for 25 Years, Dies at 78

In this file photo taken on November 30, 2006, US First Lady Laura Bush (R) stands with Guest Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier (L) while talking about the ginger bread White House he created for the State Dining Room, during a media preview of the 2006 holiday decorations at the White House in Washington, DC. (AFP)

Roland Mesnier, the French-born longtime pastry chef at the White House whose whimsical confections served five American presidents, has died at age 78, a historical association said.

The culinary master -- who joined the presidential mansion's staff in 1979 under Jimmy Carter and worked there until his 2004 retirement during George W. Bush's presidency -- died Friday "following a short illness," the White House Historical Association said on its website.