Now at Villeneuve Loubet, Valerio took over the reins of “LA FLIBUSTE” in May 2024. His culinary journey began in Charleroi, Belgium, where his Italian family settled two generations ago. Raised in a dual cultural environment, he was captivated by the pleasures of the table from a young age, inspired by the authentic taste of fresh, quality ingredients.

He fondly remembers Sunday afternoons spent rolling gnocchi with family and holidays in a small village between Rome and Naples, where he savored local sausage, rustic and fragrant with roasted coriander, enjoyed dried or in tomato sauce, and his grandmother’s fabulous “Chicon Gratin” (endives with ham).

With an explosive career path and an unwavering passion for cuisine, Valerio brings an iconoclastic touch to La Flibuste, shaped by the most demanding and trend-setting kitchens of today. Driven by curiosity and endless dedication, he quickly ascended through renowned gastronomic establishments, including the legendary “La plage d’Armée” in Namur (1* Michelin), “l’Essentiel” in Temploux (1* Michelin), and crossing the Atlantic to join the famed “La Cabane à Sucre au Pied de Cochon”, where he gained unique experience with ultra-local products made on-site.

Returning to Brussels, he contributed to one of the city’s most iconic establishments, “La Villa in The Sky”, under Alexandre Dionisio (2* Michelin), before an inspiring stint at Noirmoutier with Alexandre Couillon (3* Michelin) at the Table d’Elise.

Back in Brussels, Chef Sang Hoon Degeimbre (2* Michelin) entrusted him with the cuisine at San Sablon, a restaurant centered around the bowl and spoon, reflective of the chef’s Korean heritage. In 2023, Valerio was selected for the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy, an event recognizing the world’s best young chefs, where he achieved second place in “West Europe”.