René Verdon
Encyclopedia
René Verdon was a French-born American chef. Verdon was the chef for the White House
during the administrations of John F. Kennedy
and Lyndon B. Johnson
. Verdon was hired by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961.
, western France in 1924. His family owned a bakery and pastry shop. He had two older brothers, a baker and pâtissier, this is where he got his inspiration to become a chef. At the age of 13 Verdon began an apprenticeship after which he worked in several prestigious restaurants in Paris and Deauville
including Le Berkeley. He emigrated to the United States in 1958.
Once in New York, Verdon found work at the Essex House
restaurant as well as La Caravelle and the Carlyle Hotel
. While at La Caravelle Verdon was recommended to Jacqueline Kennedy by head chef Roger Fessaguet.
Verdon's first commission was an informal luncheon the Kennedys' hosted for Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco
. He used ingredients such as crab, spring lamb and strawberries. His first official meal was for sixteen guests including British prime minister Harold Macmillan
. Verdon served a menu of trout in Chablis and sauce Vincent, beef filet au jus and artichoke bottoms Beaucaire as well as his own dessert of meringue filled with raspberries chocolate.
He continued his role as White House chef after the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy and began working for President Johnson. However creative differences rose after a Texan food co-ordinator hired by Johnson began to supply Verdon with canned and frozen vegetables to keep White House costs down. He often spoke out about the food choices of the Johnsons, once saying to The Washington Post
, "You can eat at home what you want, but you do not serve barbecued spareribs at a banquet with the ladies in white gloves." He resigned from his post in 1965 after he was asked to prepare a cold garbanzo bean puree, a dish which he reportedly detested regardless of its temperature.
.
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
during the administrations of John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
and Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
. Verdon was hired by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961.
Early life
Verdon was born in PouzaugesPouzauges
Pouzauges is a commune in the Vendée department in the Pays de la Loire region in western France....
, western France in 1924. His family owned a bakery and pastry shop. He had two older brothers, a baker and pâtissier, this is where he got his inspiration to become a chef. At the age of 13 Verdon began an apprenticeship after which he worked in several prestigious restaurants in Paris and Deauville
Deauville
Deauville is a commune in the Calvados département in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.With its racecourse, harbour, international film festival, marinas, conference centre, villas, Grand Casino and sumptuous hotels, Deauville is regarded as the "queen of the Norman beaches" and...
including Le Berkeley. He emigrated to the United States in 1958.
Once in New York, Verdon found work at the Essex House
Essex House
-Buildings:* Essex House - a historic house in London* Jumeirah Essex House - a luxury hotel in New York City...
restaurant as well as La Caravelle and the Carlyle Hotel
Carlyle Hotel
The Carlyle Hotel, known formally as The Carlyle, is a combination luxury and residential hotel located at 35 East 76th Street on the northeast corner of Madison Avenue, in the Upper East Side area of New York City...
. While at La Caravelle Verdon was recommended to Jacqueline Kennedy by head chef Roger Fessaguet.
The White House
The First Lady originally hired Verdon temporarily to deal with the high demands of luncheons after the inauguration. After a few months Verdon was given a permanent position in which he received a $10,000 a year salary along with full room and board. Verdon was credited with change the view on the food served by the White House. Meals had previously been supplied by either outside caterers or Navy stewards and were not known for their high standard.Verdon's first commission was an informal luncheon the Kennedys' hosted for Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
. He used ingredients such as crab, spring lamb and strawberries. His first official meal was for sixteen guests including British prime minister Harold Macmillan
Harold Macmillan
Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, OM, PC was Conservative Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 January 1957 to 18 October 1963....
. Verdon served a menu of trout in Chablis and sauce Vincent, beef filet au jus and artichoke bottoms Beaucaire as well as his own dessert of meringue filled with raspberries chocolate.
He continued his role as White House chef after the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy and began working for President Johnson. However creative differences rose after a Texan food co-ordinator hired by Johnson began to supply Verdon with canned and frozen vegetables to keep White House costs down. He often spoke out about the food choices of the Johnsons, once saying to The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, "You can eat at home what you want, but you do not serve barbecued spareribs at a banquet with the ladies in white gloves." He resigned from his post in 1965 after he was asked to prepare a cold garbanzo bean puree, a dish which he reportedly detested regardless of its temperature.
After the White House
After leaving the White House, Verdon began to demonstrate kitchen appliances before opening up Le Trianon in California. Le Trianon became one of America's finest French restaurants of the 1970s and 80's.Death
Verdon died on February 2, 2011 at the age of 86. The cause of death was reported by his wife to be leukemiaLeukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
.