Secretary Butz and Guests Visit White House Kitchen

This photograph shows Secretary of Agriculture Earl L. Butz (far right) posing with guests Mr. and Mrs. Tamura and members of the White House Kitchen staff. In August 1972, Butz and the Tamuras toured the Kitchen on the Ground Floor of the White House, and sampled desserts prepared by White House Pastry Chef Heinz Bender (second from right) and his staff. Also pictured in this photograph is White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (center) and White House Assistant Executive Chef Hans Raffert (far left). Butz served as secretary of agriculture from 1971-1976, during the administration of Richard M. Nixon. Butz presented this photograph to Haller as "a great and loyal co-worker on the Richard Nixon team." Butz also sent a letter to Haller dated August 7, 1972, thanking him for guiding the Tamuras on the Kitchen tour, though he admitted he is glad he does not have access to the "absolutely delicious" dessert samples everyday, stating "or my weight would balloon for sure." This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef of the White House from 1966-1987.