Nicole Yancey, La Médaille d’Or de La Renaissance Française

The events surrounding Nicole Yancey’s birth influenced her goals in life, having been born in the Berry region of France at the most desperate of times for her parents, who were of Jewish descent. Soon after, she and her sister were taken in by a farmer’s family, which resulted in her wanting to make an impact on a better understanding between nations and their peoples.

America was at the heart of the liberation of France, and although she was much too young to remember it all, the name always carried a magical sound. Later she learned of the French aid in the American Revolution, which increased her desire to discover America.

She was given that opportunity through the Franco-American Women’s Club of the US Army Communications Zone , enrolling in college in Virginia. There she met her husband and has lived in the “Peninsula” for the last 50 years. She has dipped into the region’s rich history, and has served as liaison for French participation in the celebration

of the American bi-centennial. She has contributed to American participation in events in France commemorating the bi-centennial of 1789, especially a “son et lumière” at the Rochambeau estate. Ms. Yancey has taught French, and was appointed Honorary Consul of France. This role opened the door for her to further promote French language and culture, as well as the Franco-American friendship through cultural events, international festivals, lectures, concerts, exhibits and loans from French museums.

In 2009 she initiated the creation of the French-American school in Norfolk, VA t which is working with the Mission Laique Française, the Ministry of Defense and Norfolk Public Schools. In addition, she has cooperated in the creation of sister cities across her state and serves as liaison with the National Park Service to trace the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail. The new wayside marker “Converging on Yorktown” will be unveiled on June 5, 2015, as the Hermione sails into the York River.

Nicole left the consular office after 25 years, and was awarded the National Order of Merit, the National Order of the Legion of Honor and the Commonwealth of Virginia House Resolution No. 976.

Adèle Boufford Baker, La Médaille d’Or de Solidarité et Valeur

A native of Manchester, New Hampshire, Adèle Boufford Baker, is a second generation Franco-American and proud of her heritage. She attended Rivier University and the University of New Hampshire. Raised in a bi-lingual family, her love for the French language continued at the Berlitz School of Languages in Boston where she would later become the Director of The Translation Service.

Returning to Manchester, she substituted in French and Spanish in local High Schools and taught English as a Foreign Language to newly arrived French Canadians.

She was a partner in Baker, Pappas & Dastin, Marketing and Public Relations. As Director of Development at Notre Dame College, she coordinated all fundraising and planned giving activities. From 1994 to 2004, Adèle served as Executive Director of The Centre Franco-Américain, a French cultural and heritage organization. In 1997 she was named Franco American of the Year. She is also a member of PI DELTA PHI, the French National Honor Society and the recipient of La Medaille d’Or du Richelieu.

In 2001 she became Honorary Consul of France and has been proud to represent the French government in New Hampshire to this day.

In 2004 the Alliance Française of Manchester was reinstated, after being inactive for 40 years. Bringing back the AF to her city was a tribute to her mother, who had been a member for many years. Adèle also collaborated on the Quebec 400 (1604-2004), the founding of Quebec, and served on The Champlain Committee to erect a commemorative plaque on the banks of the St. Lawrence River depicting the cities and towns in New England where the French Canadians settled at the turn of the 20th Century.

She volunteers in her city serving on the Boards of Directors of Catholic Medical Center, The Manchester Community Music School, The Gilbert French Language Foundation, The Holy Cross Family Learning Center, The Palace Theatre Advisory Board and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

In 2008 President Sarkozy named her Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite.

Daniel Johnnes, La Médaille d’Or du Rayonnement Culturel

When Daniel Johnnes first visited France he immediately fell in love with the language, cuisine, wine and culture. For the last 40 years Daniel has been a devoted Francophile, building his career around food and wine.

After graduating from college with a BA in French, Daniel left for Paris to work in the kitchens of Guy Savoy. Upon returning to New York City, he helped open Montrachet, quoted as “New York’s finest wine restaurant,” which won a Wine Spectator Grand Award.

Daniel also formed his own import company, featuring personal selections of unique French wines. He now represents some of the most famous estates in Burgundy and beyond.

The James Beard Foundation honored Mr. Johnnes in 1995 with the ‘Outstanding Wine Service Award,’ and in 2006 as ‘Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year,’ the highest honor awarded to a wine professional in the United States. In 2000 he was named ‘Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year’ by Santé.

In 2000, he created his event La Paulée de New York, described as “the greatest Bacchanalia on the face of the earth” by The Financial Times. Through tastings, dinners and seminars, this event celebrates Burgundy’s greatest winemakers, boasts extraordinary cuisine, and has raised over $2,000,000 to charity.

After spending twenty years as the Wine Director for Montrachet and the Myriad Restaurant Group, Daniel joined Daniel Boulud’s Dinex Group as the corporate Wine Director. He most recently formed La Fête du Champagne with Peter Liem to educate and promote the wines of Champagne.

Dubbed “the dean of American Sommeliers” by Jay McInerny in The Wall Street Journal, Johnnes continues to mentor a new generation of sommeliers. He recently created the La Paulée Scholarship which brings young sommeliers to France to experience the “terroir” as he did during his early travels.