Chandler West for Hillary For America(WASHINGTON) — First lady Michelle Obama hosted a staff holiday party at the Washington, D.C., restaurant “We the Pizza” on Tuesday night, two people in attendance confirm to ABC News.
“It was a very exclusive, private event for her and her staff,” owner and chef Spike Mendelsohn told ABC News in a phone interview. “It was a celebration of all the work her staff has done over the last eight years.”
A second person who attended the soirée said it was “emotional.”
Mendelsohn says many in the room, including him, were brought to tears by remarks the first lady gave to the staff — telling them “not to harp on the negativity and keep up the good work.”
“Her message struck a cord, it was emotional, especially with everything that’s happening now with the country and the world,” he said.
He described the mood in the room as simultaneously “joyful and celebratory” but also “real.”
“There was an underlying sadness that it’s come to an end,” he noted.
Mendelsohn posted a photo of cookies from the event on his Instagram account.
The first lady’s office has not responded to ABC News’ request for comment.
The Hill first reported this story.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
