Sam Kass

Sam Kass is a food entrepreneur, former White House Chef and senior policy advisor for nutrition. Kass joined the White House kitchen staff in 2009 as assistant chef and, in 2010, became food initiative coordinator. During his White House tenure, Kass took on several additional roles including executive director of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign, and senior White House policy advisor for nutrition. Kass is the first person in the history of the White House to have a position in the Executive Office of the President and the Residence. Kass was one of the First Lady’s longest-serving advisors, having previously served as senior policy advisor for healthy food initiatives. Kass helped the First Lady create the first major vegetable garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt’s victory garden. In addition, Kass helped create the first beer to ever be brewed in the White House. 

In 2011, Fast Company named Kass to their list of 100 Most Creative People, and in 2012, Kass helped create the American Chef Corps, dedicated to promoting diplomacy through culinary initiatives. Currently, Kass serves as a senior food analyst at NBC News, covering topics such as healthful eating, food trends, and policy. He received his BA in history from the University of Chicago.