This is a photograph of White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier plating chocolate dome cakes in the West Garden Room of the White House. It is likely that Chef Mesnier was in the West Garden Room for an event being held just outside, in the Rose Garden. Chocolate dome cakes were a favorite of President Jimmy Carter. The cake layers were made with biscuit macaroon, a type of soft cake, and layered with chocolate mousse. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.

These cherry sherbet desserts were created by White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier for a State Dinner in honor of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan hosted by President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton on June 13, 1994. Big, white almond ice cream balls filled with red cherry sorbet were surrounded by cut open red sugar balls that resembled cherries. Chef Mesnier intended for the balls of white ice cream and red sorbet filing to look like the Japanese flag when they were cut into. Stems of sugar cherry blossoms were added to the top as tribute to the cherry blossom trees surrounding the Tidal Basin that were gifted by Japan in 1912 as a symbol of friendship. The base of the dessert was garnished with cherries and poached kumquat tartlets. Accompanying the main dessert were baskets of petit fours shaped like sushi. The desserts are photographed here in the West Garden Room, just inside of the Rose Garden, where the dinner took place. For the full menu from this State Dinner, see 1140834. This photograph is part of a personal collection belonging to former White House Executive Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier. Chef Mesnier created elaborate desserts for the White House from 1980 to 2004.

This photograph of the holiday decorations in the West Garden Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 28, 2022 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. For their second year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "We the People." The theme was inspired by the shared values of the American people and the promise of unity, hope, and possibility that represents America’s history. White orchids and poinsettias bloom on the table, while the allegorical work "Union" by Italian-born artist Constantino Brumidi is adorned with a festive, seasonal garland.

The photograph of the West Garden Room was taken by Bruce White on May 24, 2017. The space connects the Executive Residence to the West Colonnade and the Rose Garden. It is filled with greenery and seasonal plants, and the allegorical work "Union" by Italian-born artist Constantino Brumidi hangs on the wall. Brumidi completed "Union" and its companion piece "Liberty" in 1869. President Ulysses S. Grant commissioned the works for display in the renovated Entrance Hall of the White House. Representing the indivisibility of the restored Union after the Civil War, both were mounted on the ceiling after completion. The pieces were removed during the Benjamin Harrison administration and returned to the White House following their rediscovery in 1978.

This photograph of holiday decorations in the West Garden Room was taken by David Wiegold on November 29, 2021 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. Red poinsettia flowers adorn a decorative urn, while a festive garland encircles the allegorical painting "Liberty" by artist Constantino Brumidi. For their first year in the White House, President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose the theme, "Gifts from the Heart." The theme was meant to honor the things we cherish and bring us together despite the obstacles posed by a pandemic, time, and distance.

This photograph, taken by Matthew D'Agostino on April 6, 2015 during the Barack Obama administration, shows springtime decorations that adorned the West Garden Room during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Plotted flowers bloom on the table, while the allegorical work "Union" by Italian-born artist Constantino Brumidi hangs on the wall. Brumidi completed "Union" and its companion piece "Liberty" in 1869. President Ulysses S. Grant commissioned the works for display in the renovated Entrance Hall of the White House. Representing the indivisibility of the restored Union after the Civil War, both were mounted in the ceiling after completion. The pieces were removed during the Benjamin Harrison administration, and returned to the White House following their rediscovery in 1978.

This photograph, taken by Matthew D'Agostino on April 6, 2015 during the Barack Obama administration, shows springtime decorations that adorned the West Garden Room during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Plotted flowers bloom on the table, while the allegorical work "Union" by Italian-born artist Constantino Brumidi hangs on the wall. Brumidi completed "Union" and its companion piece "Liberty" in 1869. President Ulysses S. Grant commissioned the works for display in the renovated Entrance Hall of the White House. Representing the indivisibility of the restored Union after the Civil War, both were mounted in the ceiling after completion. The pieces were removed during the Benjamin Harrison administration, and returned to the White House following their rediscovery in 1978.

This photograph, taken by Matthew D'Agostino on April 6, 2015 during the Barack Obama administration, shows springtime decorations that adorned the West Garden Room during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. Plotted flowers bloom on the table, while the allegorical work "Union" by Italian-born artist Constantino Brumidi hangs on the wall. Brumidi completed "Union" and its companion piece "Liberty" in 1869. President Ulysses S. Grant commissioned the works for display in the renovated Entrance Hall of the White House. Representing the indivisibility of the restored Union after the Civil War, both were mounted in the ceiling after completion. The pieces were removed during the Benjamin Harrison administration, and returned to the White House following their rediscovery in 1978.

This photograph, taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 11, 2014 during the Barack Obama administration, shows the floral decorations that adorned the West Garden Room. Plotted flowers, including orchids and amaryllises, bloom on the table, while the allegorical work "Union" by Italian-born artist Constantino Brumidi hangs on the wall. Brumidi completed "Union" and its companion piece "Liberty" in 1869. President Ulysses S. Grant commissioned the works for display in the renovated Entrance Hall of the White House. Representing the indivisibility of the restored Union after the Civil War, both were mounted in the ceiling after completion. The pieces were removed during the Benjamin Harrison administration, and returned to the White House following their rediscovery in 1978. This photograph was taken following a State Arrival Ceremony held on the South Lawn of the White House in honor of President François Hollande of the French Republic as part of his official State Visit with President Obama.

This photograph, taken by Matthew D'Agostino on February 11, 2014 during the Barack Obama administration, shows the floral decorations that adorned the West Garden Room. Plotted flowers, including orchids and amaryllises, bloom on the table, while the allegorical work "Union" by Italian-born artist Constantino Brumidi hangs on the wall. Brumidi completed "Union" and its companion piece "Liberty" in 1869. President Ulysses S. Grant commissioned the works for display in the renovated Entrance Hall of the White House. Representing the indivisibility of the restored Union after the Civil War, both were mounted in the ceiling after completion. The pieces were removed during the Benjamin Harrison administration, and returned to the White House following their rediscovery in 1978. This photograph was taken following a State Arrival Ceremony held on the South Lawn of the White House in honor of President François Hollande of the French Republic as part of his official State Visit with President Obama.

This photograph shows President George H. W. Bush sitting in the West Garden Room with his granddaughters Ellie LeBland and Marshall Bush.