Margarita Forés

One of the most celebrated chefs in the Philippines

Margarita Forés was arguably the most celebrated chefs in the Philippines of recent decades, recognised for her dedication to both Italian and Filipino cuisine. Originally trained as an accountant, her culinary journey began in the 1980s when she travelled to Italy, immersing herself in its regional cooking traditions. This formative experience shaped her approach to food, inspiring her to introduce Italian flavours to the Philippine dining scene, while championing local ingredients.

In 1987, Forés launched her catering business, Cibo di M, which quickly gained a great reputation. A decade later, she opened Cibo, an Italian restaurant concept that specialised in fresh panini and pizza, introducing diners in Manila to traditional yet approachable Italian cooking. The success of Cibo led to its expansion across the country – today, there are more than 20 outposts.

Beyond Cibo, Forés developed a portfolio of restaurants. She founded Lusso, a gastro bar serving luxury comfort food such as the decadent foie gras burger and lobster and river prawn roll; Grace Park, a farm-to-table restaurant showcasing fresh, locally sourced ingredients; and Alta, which melds Italian and Filipino flavours in dishes like adobo flakes pasta and a devilled eggs trio. Throughout her career, she remained a staunch advocate for sustainable dining, promoting the use of organic and indigenous Filipino produce across her establishments.

Her son, Amado, opened his first restaurant, A Mano in 2019, of which Forés was a huge supporter. The popular eatery serves handmade pasta, Neapolitan-style pizzas and soft-serve gelato. Amado also opened steakhouse, Steak and Frice (which Ed Sheeran visited on a trip to the Philippines), and Ramen Ron, where Forés collaborated to launch a limited-edition batchoy (Filipino noodle soup) ramen with Japanese chef Hiroyuki Tamura.

A passionate educator, Forés played a key role in bringing Italy’s esteemed Casa Artusi to the Philippines in 2013. The institution, dedicated to teaching home-style Italian cooking, chose the country for its first and only out-of-Italy campus.

Forés’ achievements have been widely recognised – including being named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016. At the time, she said the award made her feel like Miss Universe. “If I were Miss Universe,” she declared, with trademark humour, “my talent would be the ability to make something from the simplest ingredients on the fly. Also, I’ve developed a real resilience; I’ve been working in this industry for 30 years and I feel like I have a doctorate in crisis management!”

She also became the first non-Italian recipient of the Marietta Ad Honorem award in 2015, an honour given for her exceptional promotion of Italian cuisine outside of Italy. Her influence extended beyond restaurants and education. She co-authored Kulinarya, a book celebrating Filipino cuisine, and was chosen to prepare a special dinner for world leaders during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2015.

A much-loved member of the culinary community, Margarita Forés was a driving force until the end. Her work remains a testament to her philosophy: food should be rooted in tradition, elevated with skill and celebrated for its ability to connect people.

Following her untimely death in February, Margarita Forés has been posthumously awarded the Woodford Reserve Icon Award 2025, as part of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.