The White House announced Friday that Susan E. “Susie” Morrison will serve as the next White House Executive Pastry Chef.
Morrison is the seventh person and first woman to serve in the role and begins “just in time to spearhead the always highly anticipated Holiday Gingerbread House,” the White House said. The position was most recently held by William Yosses, who departed earlier this year to create the “Kitchen Garden Laboratory,” a wellness through cooking advocacy group.
As executive pastry chef, Morrison will be responsible for the day to day operation of the pastry kitchen. She will oversee creating and executing the dessert menus for all social events at the White House, including receptions, luncheons and state dinners.
Morrison’s career at the White House began in 1995 as a contract pastry employee while she was employed at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner Hotel. She was appointed to assistant pastry chef in 2002. During her time working at the White House, she worked with executive pastry chefs Roland Mesnier, Thaddeus Dubois and Bill Yosses. Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford -- the first woman in that job -- has continued to be a mentor, the White House said.
With an interest in assuring the health of the bee population and its honey production, Morrison will continue to tend the White House bee hive and support the White House Kitchen Garden, the White House said.