THE CHEF - La Flibuste

Valerio Borriero & Klervi Poullain

Chefs

Breaking the rules while respecting them

Imagine a culinary universe where curiosity and the desire to create are a sacred mission.

My ambition? To make you feel that unique thrill of discovering an unforgettable flavor—one that becomes etched in memory and reawakens with every recollection.

Nurtured by a dual heritage, I’ve always been captivated by bold combinations, those that defy conventions while honoring them. My cuisine is a revelation—a fusion of my story, my travels, my boundless curiosity, and my vivid imagination, guided by the seasonal flavors and deep inspirations of the moment and place.

In this ever-changing world, where culture globalizes at an astonishing speed, I’ve come to realize that rigid codes are meant to be challenged. Flavors are limited only by our imagination. To me, gastronomy reaches its pinnacle when ingredients and spirit combine to create dishes that evoke intense emotions, rekindle memories, and profoundly touch our souls based on time and place.

My cuisine is an invitation to explore—it tells a story, evokes a moment, an emotion. It’s not about breaking the rules but reimagining them with elegance and daring, respecting them in order to better make them my own.

Valerio BORRIERO

Klervi, the Rising Star of Gastronomy

Born in 1995, the youngest spark in a Vendéen family of sisters, Klervi’s life has been shaped by movement and adventure from an early age. Her journey began with a striking contrast: a relocation from rainy Brittany to sunny Guadeloupe, where a visit to a local cacao plantation ignited her awareness of the potential of raw ingredients. Cacao became her first love. From that moment, her path was clear: she would dedicate herself to the art of flavor.

As she grew, traveling far and wide, she realized that cuisine was a boundless world. Back in France, in Le Mans during her teenage years, popular culinary TV shows revealed to her that the kitchen could be a stage, and great chefs, its artists. This only deepened her resolve to pursue a career in gastronomy.

Her debut in the culinary world was meteoric. At just 20, she joined the prestigious “Pure C” by Sergio Herman in the Netherlands. Immersed in the cerebral creations of the three-star chef, she gained extraordinary and unexpected experience. Drawn to pastry, she flourished under pressure, overcoming challenges to uncover her true calling.

Following an intense and formative season, she pursued further opportunities with stars in her eyes. She honed her craft at “La Bouitte” in Savoie, mastering the art of front-of-house service, and then at “Villa in the Sky” in Brussels (2 Michelin stars). It was here she met Valerio, a young Belgian chef who became both her life and culinary partner. Together, they forged a creative and complementary gastronomic duo.

After a brief detour to university, where she deepened her knowledge of restaurant management and sommellerie, Klervi continued to expand her horizons with internships in Brittany, working at the bustling Guilvinec fish market, and alongside some of the finest chefs, such as Yannick Alléno at Pavillon Ledoyen (3 Michelin stars).

Armed with this wealth of experience, she embarked on her first restaurant venture with Valerio on the shores of Lake Como—a bold project hindered by almost surreal logistical challenges. Unfortunately, the establishment was forced to close just a few months after opening.

After a season in Saint-Raphaël at Villa Mauresque, under the guidance of David Boyer, Klervi decided once again to align her knives and dreams with Valerio’s by joining him in the kitchens of La Flibuste. Together, they shared a singular vision: to pay homage to their individual journeys and tell a story with every dish—a story of encounters, moments, experiences, and flavors inspired by their lives as travelers.