Land, Taste, and Heritage
In the heart of Balagne, nestled within the mountains of Haute-Corse, a project comes to life. Jean-Baptiste Moretti, a passionate chef and guardian of his family’s legacy, breathes life into a dream deeply rooted in the land of his ancestors.
On a family-owned estate passed down through generations since the 16th century, Jean-Baptiste seeks to reinvent the Corsican art of living. After studying at the prestigious Institut Paul Bocuse and gaining experience in renowned gastronomic establishments such as NOMA in Copenhagen, he chose to return to Lumiu, to the land that shaped him, to build a unique enterprise. His project, Falasca Table de Terroir, carries the memory of the place while reinterpreting it with a contemporary vision.
But the true beauty of his project lies beyond the cuisine; reclaiming the space was his first step. Jean-Baptiste began by immersing himself in the land, training in traditional construction methods. This intimate connection led him to renovate his restaurant using only locally sourced materials: dry stone and rammed tuff earth, shaped by hand. Every wall, every arch is a declaration of love to his land, a tribute to ancestral architecture that he mastered thanks to skills passed down by local artisans and his cousin Christian, a pioneer of raw-earth construction in Corsica. Through this approach, Jean-Baptiste embraces a “zero kilometer” philosophy, reducing the concept of short supply chains to its purest form—applied to both products and construction. He demonstrates that sustainability is born from harmony between humans and their environment.
Reinterpreting Tradition: Rustinomie
At the core of Jean-Baptiste’s project lies a unique ambition: transforming the rustic into a refined, contemporary experience. He calls this “rustinomie”, a reinvention of the traditional farm-inn where the simplicity of products and techniques from the past meets the precision and creativity of haute cuisine. Each dish tells the story of Corsica, expressing its island flavors while daring to explore modern pairings. Ingredients—local meats, vegetables, cheeses, and wines—serve as vessels for a deep connection to the land.
By rehabilitating this space, Jean-Baptiste aims to develop a thriving ecosystem within the region, working with locals, producers, and the living world. The lamb raised by a neighboring shepherd or the olive oil from his own grove becomes symbolic of a local exchange where everyone benefits. These partnerships contribute to the creation of a local, sustainable, and lasting value chain—economic collaborations that are, above all, synergistic.
For Jean-Baptiste, Falasca Table de Terroir must not only be a place where guests enjoy a memorable culinary experience, but above all, a space where teams can flourish. “I want the space I create to allow everyone—whether employees or guests—to connect and share a pleasant experience,” he explains. From the design of workspaces to the warm welcome extended to visitors, conviviality is not an added bonus but an essential component of the soul of this place.
Despite the challenges—complex regulations, recruitment hurdles, or the high costs of earthen construction—Falasca Table de Terroir is a living example of harmony between nature and culture. Far from being just a restaurant, it is a meeting place where tradition and modernity converge, allowing visitors to feel the very essence of Corsica. It is also a space in constant evolution, a project Jean-Baptiste plans to adapt and refine based on feedback and learnings. He does not claim to have all the answers. Instead, he sees his project as a collaborative journey and an ongoing pursuit of excellence. The planned opening in 2025 will mark the culmination of his tireless dedication to regenerating this place, but more importantly, the beginning of an adventure: a constant dialogue between the land, its people, and its visitors, celebrating the timeless beauty of Corsica.
“The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein”
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The Enforce project partners met in the Slovenian city of Ljubljana on 30 and 31 May. Hosted by the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce (CCIS), the meeting was carefully organised and offered participants a mix of business talks and leisure activities.
Two regenerative experiences were at the centre of the meeting. These immersive sessions allowed partners to recharge their creative batteries and better connect with the city. You can find the two experiences on the map!
The next steps centred around the next steps of the project, which equipped the team and partners with the necessary tools to continue working on Enforce. The Enforce journey continues and the partners are determined to deliver results of the highest quality.
Project partners met in Aveiro on the 14th and 15th of September 2023. It was the perfect opportunity to visit the destination with regenerative glasses on, to understand its many assets but also some of the challenges the destination is facing. Face to face project meetings always provide the partners with the unique opportunity to learn about the work of the hosting partner and get valuable insights about the destination. In this case partners were hosted by the dedicated team of management and tourism professionals of the University of Aveiro who shared a wealth of insights about a city that was new to many of the participants.
The Enforce project is well on track when it comes to the project work plan, which means that after having completed the Best Practice collection of innovative examples about storytelling for regeneration and also the Storyteller’s Guide, partners used the meeting to discuss the development of the Enforce Training Programme.
For the next few months partners will be working on developing the content in line with guidelines provided by the University of Usak, our project partner from Turkey.
The course should be available for piloting in January/February 2024 and will also be available in the partner languages once all translations are finalised.
The ENFORCE team met in the beautiful city of Luxembourg for its kick-off meeting. It took place at the premises of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg (also known as CCIL), which opened its doors to warmly welcome all partners.
The team was aware of the importance of this first meeting and approached it with the same enthusiasm, as it plays an important role in building strong bonds that will contribute to the success of the entire cooperation. With the common goal of building a solid foundation, the participants discussed in depth the first steps required for the project ENFORCE.
During this visit, the project objectives were discussed in depth to ensure that each partner has a comprehensive understanding of the overarching goals. The outcome of the kick-off meeting was extremely satisfying for all partners and generated enthusiasm among the team. It was a success and left everyone inspired and energised.
The journey of ENFORCE has officially begun and with the collective expertise of the committed partners, there is no doubt that it will thrive and achieve remarkable results.
“The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein”
Project N: 2022-1-LU01-KA220-VET-000089887
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