Celebrated Filipino chef and restaurateur Margarita Forés has died at the age of 65. Her son, Amado Forés, announced her death in an Instagram post posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. He expressed his family’s sorrow over her sudden death and asked for prayers during this challenging period. He also stated that more information will be released in due course.
According to the Manila Standard, Forés was found lifeless in her hotel room in Hong Kong after failing to attend a lunch meeting. The cause of death has not been officially disclosed.
A respected figure in the food world, Forés earned the title of Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016. She was the brains behind the successful Italian restaurant chain, Cibo, which she launched in 1997 and grew to over 20 outlets. She later expanded her business empire to include Lusso, Grace Park, The Loggia, a catering service, a flower shop, and a culinary school.
During her stay in New York, Forés discovered her passion for Italian food and later refined her skills through training in Italy. Her culinary career started in catering before opening Cibo, a restaurant designed to introduce “authentic” Italian cuisine to a wider audience. She aimed to offer a dining experience in a “mall setting” that gave “value for money” and adhered to traditional Italian cooking methods.
Forés, a member of a distinguished family in the Philippines, was the granddaughter of J. Amado Araneta, a prominent businessman who developed Araneta Center, now known as Araneta City. She initially pursued an accountancy degree but shifted to culinary arts after her grandfather’s death in 1985.
Over time, she was acknowledged for her contribution to the enhancement of Filipino cuisine while maintaining a strong influence from her Italian training. She also played a significant role in promoting sustainable and farm-to-table dining in the Philippines.
In November 2024, 50 Top Pizza ranked Cibo 44th among the 50 Top World Artisan Pizza Chains. Earlier in the same year, the Philippine Daily Inquirer recognized her as one of the Women of Power awardees.
On February 2, 2025, Forés appeared on the cover of “Tatler Asia” alongside her son, Amado, reflecting on her long career and her wish to “wind down a bit” after many years of dedication to her craft. Despite being 65 and having achieved much, she still harbored one final ambition—to open a restaurant bearing her name before fully retiring from the industry.
During the “Tatler” interview, Amado, who shares his mother’s love for food, pledged to preserve her legacy. He expressed his dream of slowly taking over her restaurants while maintaining the “soul of what she does.” His aim was to honor his mother’s culinary identity while adding his unique touch to her renowned establishments.
Forés, a two-time cancer survivor, had previously battled thyroid cancer in 2006. Her death has sparked a flood of tributes on social media from friends, colleagues, and admirers.
In a heartfelt Facebook statement, Cibo paid tribute to its founder, Forés, describing her as their “guiding light.” The restaurant emphasized her “warmth, creativity, and unwavering spirit,” underlining the lasting impact she had on their team and customers. They expressed deep gratitude for her passion for her work, affirming that she would “always be CIBO.”
Social media was filled with tributes, expressing condolences and admiration for Forés’ impact on the culinary world. A user reflected on her “warmth” and the “love she poured into her cooking,” highlighting how her talent and the meals she created left a lasting impression. Fans shared their gratitude for the happiness she brought through her food.
Forés’ influence reached beyond her restaurants. She started the Asian Campus at Casa Artusi, a culinary school in Italy, and made television appearances, including CNN’s “Culinary Journeys.”
Forés’ legacy in the culinary scene of her country is irrefutable, and her influence will continue to be felt through the restaurants and businesses she established and through her son, Amado, who now carries forward her vision.
