"Today the White House announced the departure of Sam Kass, Executive Director of the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative, the first-ever White House Senior Policy Advisor on Nutrition, and personal chef to the First Family. His departure concludes a tenure of dedicated service not only to the First Family, but also to the Obama Administration as a key player in the development of nutrition policy," the statement on the White House official website said.
"Over 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," President Obama was quoted in the statement as saying.
According to the White House, Kass will remain engaged with the First Lady's Let's Move! initiative, aimed at providing healthy food for children to combat obesity in the United States.
"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," Michelle Obama was quoted as saying.
Kass will hold his position up to January 1, 2015, when his successor will be named.
The statement did not reveal the reason for the chef's departure. However there has been some speculation in American media over his decision to leave the Obama family. As Huffington Post puts it, this might be connected to Kass' relocation to New York where his wife, Alex Wagner, lives.
Sam Kass and MSNBC TV channel host Alex Wagner, married in August 2014.
