In this photograph taken by Warren K. Leffler, First Lady Rosalynn Carter and White House Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert view a gingerbread house in the State Dining Room of the White House on December 10, 1979. Chef Raffert created his first German A-frame gingerbread house for the Nixon White House holiday decorations in 1969, where they subsequently became an annual tradition. Even after the A-frame design was no longer used, Raffert's skills were often used to create the Official White House Gingerbread House until his retirement in 1992.

In this photograph, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter greets White House Kitchen staff members in the Ground Floor Corridor during a visit to the White House in 1989. Here, she shakes hands with White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, who she hired to serve as pastry chef for the White House in 1979. Pictured at left of Messier is White House Executive Chef Hans Raffert. Raffert began his career in the White House Kitchen as assistant executive chef in 1969. In 1988, he became the first member of the White House Kitchen staff to be promoted to the position of White House Executive Chef.

This photograph was taken on December 9, 1985, during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations hosted by First Lady Nancy Reagan. Here, Mrs. Reagan holds her dog Rex and laughs during the presentation of the official White House Gingerbread House. The display was made by Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert and included figures based on the Hansel and Gretel fairytale and a pathway made of jelly beans, President Ronald Reagan's favorite treat. Raffert's A-frame style gingerbread houses were a traditional part of the White House holiday decorations from 1969-1991. Also pictured at the far left of this photograph is actor Larry Hagman, who accompanied Mrs. Reagan for the press preview dressed as Santa Claus.

In this photograph, taken by Mary Anne Fackelman on December 7, 1981, Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert adds the finishing touches to the official White House Gingerbread House in the State Dining Room. For President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan's first holiday season at the White House, Chef Raffert created a gingerbread house with details including a well made from gingerbread and a path made from jelly beans, the president's favorite treat. Raffert's A-frame style gingerbread houses were a traditional part of the White House holiday decorations from 1969-1991.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel in December 1969, Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert tops a delicacy with a mousse or frosting in the White House Kitchen. Raffert joined the White House Kitchen staff in 1969. The distinctive A-frame gingerbread houses he created for the holiday season soon became a White House tradition. In 1987, he became the first member of the White House Kitchen staff to be promoted to the position of White House Executive Chef.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel in December 1969, Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert tops a delicacy with a mousse or frosting in the White House Kitchen. Raffert joined the White House Kitchen staff in 1969. The distinctive A-frame gingerbread houses he created for the holiday season soon became a White House tradition. In 1987, he became the first member of the White House Kitchen staff to be promoted to the position of White House Executive Chef.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel in December 1969, Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert (right) prepares a dish in the White House Kitchen alongside White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (left). Haller served as the White House Executive Chef from 1966-1987. Raffert joined the White House Kitchen staff in 1969. The distinctive A-frame gingerbread houses he created for the holiday season soon became a White House tradition. In 1987, he became the first member of the White House Kitchen staff to be promoted to the position of White House Executive Chef.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel in December 1969, Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert tops a delicacy with a mousse or frosting in the White House Kitchen. Raffert joined the White House Kitchen staff in 1969. The distinctive A-frame gingerbread houses he created for the holiday season soon became a White House tradition. In 1987, he became the first member of the White House Kitchen staff to be promoted to the position of White House Executive Chef.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel in December 1969, Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert tops a delicacy with a mousse or frosting in the White House Kitchen. Raffert joined the White House Kitchen staff in 1969. The distinctive A-frame gingerbread houses he created for the holiday season soon became a White House tradition. In 1987, he became the first member of the White House Kitchen staff to be promoted to the position of White House Executive Chef.

In this photograph, taken by National Geographic photographer Joseph J. Scherschel in December 1969, White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (left) converses with Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert (right) in the White House Kitchen. Haller served as the White House Executive Chef from 1966-1987. Raffert joined the White House Kitchen staff in 1969. The distinctive A-frame gingerbread houses he created for the holiday season soon became a White House tradition. In 1987, he became the first member of the White House Kitchen staff to be promoted to the position of White House Executive Chef.