1. Hans F Raffert was a German American chef who was White House Executive Chef from 1988 to 1992.
20 Facts About Hans Raffert
1. 2.
Hans Raffert was the first White House chef to annually build a gingerbread house for the Executive Residence's Christmas holiday decorations.
3.
Hans Raffert's father was a baker, which sparked his interest in cooking.
4.
Hans Raffert worked four days a week, and spent two days in school.
5.
Hans Raffert's apprenticeship ended in 1941 when he was 17.
6.
Hans Raffert spent the next seven and a half years in Sweden, working a various hotels.
7.
Hans Raffert spent about a year working at hotels in New York City, including the Hotel McAlpin.
8.
Hans Raffert then moved to Washington, DC, where he spent eight years working as the chef de cuisine at the Hotel Washington.
9.
Hans Raffert became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1966.
10.
Hans Raffert was one of only six staff members on the White House kitchen staff.
11.
In November 1969, Hans Raffert created the first official White House gingerbread house.
12.
Hans Raffert was the first White House Executive Chef to be promoted from within the ranks, rather than be brought in from outside the White House.
13.
Hans Raffert enjoyed cooking for the First Family very much.
14.
Hans Raffert was the first White House chef to create a gingerbread house as part of the Executive Residence Christmas decorations.
15.
Hans Raffert was 60 when he became Executive Chef, and retired in October 1992 just before he turned 65.
16.
Hans Raffert could do it all, and he could do it all quickly, efficiently, neatly.
17.
Hans Raffert was just a walking encyclopedia of classical cooking.
18.
Hans Raffert married his second wife, Doris, in 1976.
19.
Hans Raffert was survived by his wife, Doris, and his son, Patrick, as well as a brother, Konrad Raffert of Clarksburg, Maryland.
20.
Hans Raffert was cremated, and inurned at Mount Comfort Cemetery in Alexandria, Virginia.