Chef Raffert Decorates the 1981 Gingerbread House

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.