The White House announced Monday that the First Family 's personal chef , Sam Kass , is leaving and will move to New York . Kass also heads up the First Lady 's `` Let 's Move ! '' initiative , aimed at ending childhood obesity and promoting healthy eating habits among youth , and serves as the White House senior policy adviser on nutrition . First Lady Michelle Obama praised Kass for his work on improving nutrition for the nation . `` Sam leaves an extraordinary legacy of progress , including healthier food options in grocery store aisles , more nutritious school lunches , and new efforts that have improved how healthy food is marketed to our kids , '' she said . He 's been one of Obama 's key liaisons with the education community as she 's sought to implement improved nutritional standards for school lunches . But that role has not been without controversy , as students have boycotted the lunches and the Student Nutrition Association , an organization that represents cafeteria workers and their allies , has argued the standards are too much of a burden on schools and students . Kass was , in fact , denied a request to speak at the SNA 's annual convention this summer , after previously enjoying a warm and active partnership with the group in helping to publicize and implement the new standards . In the White House , however , Kass is a noncontroversial figure , a friend of the President who the first White House home-brewed . Indeed , he 's so close with the Obamas that they attended his wedding with MSNBC host Alex Wagner . Obama said Kass has left `` an indelible mark '' on the White House . `` Over the years , Sam has grown from a close friend to a critical member of my team , and I am grateful for his outstanding work and look forward to seeing all that he will continue to achieve in the years ahead , '' the president said in a statement . The White House said a successor will be named next year .
Sam Kass is the Presidents ' personal chef and runs the ' Let 's Eat ! ' restaurant . He 's leaving to move to New York . The White House says his replacement will be named next year .