Economy

Cakes fit for a US president come to China

By Guan Xiaomeng (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-05-22 15:12

Former White House pastry chef Dr. Roland R. Mesnier meets the press at the signing ceremony in Beijing May 21, 2011.  [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese consumers will be served with supreme pastries that had been made for state guests in the White House as the former pastry chef of the US president's residence brings his sweet bakery formula to China.

Dr. Roland R. Mesnier, who retired as White House pastry chef, has signed on as the chief consultant to PanPan Foods on Saturday in Beijing, in a move by the leisure foods manufacturer to become the world's top-tier taste.

The French-born-and-speaking chef retired in 2006 after 25-years wearing his White House toque under five presidents, from Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush. But the 66-year-old has never given up on his sweet treats by giving lessons to pastry-chefs-to-be worldwide and writing books about his quarter of a century serving up cake in the White House.

On his first tour to China, Meznier presented a special cake, which he first developed in the White House, at the signing ceremony as gift to PanPan Foods and the Chinese people.

"I hope my Chinese friends will feel as if they had breakfast with the President in the White House by eating it," said Meziner, who named the cake "Little President's sweethearts".

Pastry, as Meziner summarized, is a pleasant art. "I am happy when I make pastry and they all look like happy smiling faces. So I hope people who eat my cakes will feel my happiness."

Cai Jin'an, board chairman of PanPan Foods said the company is aiming towards high-end and internationalized food after 16-years in convenience leisure food production.

"Mr. Meziner will give training classes to our staff and we will develop White House tastes that appeal to Chinese people with the help of him," Cai said.

PanPan, a leading leisure food brand in China, has been introducing the world to their taste. The PanPan French rolls put on shelves in 2008 went with a buzz among young consumers who pursue a western style. The marriage to a world's top pastry chef will, as the company aims, popularize world's top-tier food among more Chinese consumers.