London, 17 December 2009 – The winners of the third edition of the "Français of the Year" awards are announced today at an exclusive awards ceremony.
This year again more than 4,000 people voted online to elect the leading lights of the UK's French community from the worlds of gastronomy, business, sports and the Arts.
The 2009 winners are:
Sportsman of the Year: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea FC)
Artist of the Year: Roland Mouret (Fashion Designer)
Chef of the Year: Raymond Blanc
(Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons)
Businessman of the Year: Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye (Liberty)
Commenting on the awards, the winners said:
"I am delighted to join Arsène Wenger in the Français of the Year hall of fame. I am very grateful to all those who voted for me and hope to continue entertaining them both with the Blues and the Bleus." Nicolas Anelka
"I am incredibly honoured to have won this incredible award and to be in such illustrious company. Whilst I live and work in London a piece of my heart will always be in France and when I started to show at Paris Fashion Week it was an incredibly exciting and important landmark for me. I hope that I can live up to such an auspicious accolade." Roland Mouret
"During my many years in England, I have enjoyed sharing and expressing my French culture through my cuisine. I am pleased that I have been recognised by my fellow French compatriots for this award." Raymond Blanc
"I am proud, as a Frenchman, to have played a part in re-establishing Liberty, one of the best loved British luxury brands, as the ultimate curator and incubator of avant-garde English and exotic talent in Fashion, Design and Beauty. Liberty has now swung back to near profitability by reconnecting to its roots of Love, Rebellion and Artistic Discovery." Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye
The 2009 nominees were:
Chef of the Year
Alain Ducasse (Dorchester)
Alexis Gauthier (Roussillon)
Claude Bosi (Hibiscus)
Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex (Ambassade de l'Ile)
Joël Robuchon (L'Atelier)
Michel Roux Jr (Le Gavroche)
Mourad Mazouz (Momo)
Raymond Blanc (Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons)
Artist of the Year
Laurent Voulzy (Singer/Songwriter)
Lou Doillon (Actress)
Noémie Lenoir (Model)
Roland Mouret (Fashion Designer)
Stéphane Denève (Conductor)
Sylvie Guillem (Ballet dancer)
Businessman of the Year
André Lacroix (Inchcape)
Arnaud Bamberger (Cartier)
Arnaud de Puyfontaine (National Magazine)
Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye (Liberty)
Tidjane Thiam (Prudential)
Xavier Rolet (London Stock Exchange)
Sportsman of the Year
Benjamin Kaiser (Leicester)
Gaël Clichy (Arsenal)
Julien Dupuy (Leicester)
Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
Patrice Evra (Manchester United)
Serge Betsen (Wasps) |
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