Baker, Frederic Lee "Fred"
(born: 1930 - died: 2001)Fred L. Baker was the head chef for U.S. Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon. He was responsible for all meals served on Air Force One from 1968-1974 [source: S. Thompson, "Fred Baker, who once cooked diners for presidents, now serves meals to his daughter, Shana Marie," Lexington Herald-Leader, 8/29/1984, p. E1].
Baker retired in 1974 when President Nixon's term ended. He had been a cook in the Air Force for 23 years prior to cooking for U.S. presidents. He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was also a cook at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Leestown Road in Lexington, KY for a decade; a part-time limousine driver; and a produce company employee [source: S. Thompson, "Pie in the sky: chef catered to presidents," Lexington Herald-Leader, 11/1/1996, p. 18].
Fred Baker learned to cook while he was enlisted, attending cooking school at Fort Knox, KY, where he graduated 3rd in his class.
Frederic L. Baker was born in Lee (Jessamine County), KY, the son of Mary and Henry Baker [source: 1930 U.S. Federal Census]. He died July 17, 2001 and is buried at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Jessamine County. He was the brother of Rev. Henry E. Baker.
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