From Accounting to Culinary Arts
Margarita Forés grew up in Manila as the granddaughter of tycoon J. Amado Araneta, owner and developer of the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City. Though she trained as an accountant, a four-month trip to Italy in 1986 changed everything. She undertook intensive training in both Italian cuisine and language, studying under three Italian chefs: Masha Innoscenti in Florence, Jo Bettoja in Rome, and Ada Parasiliti in Milan. This immersive experience ignited a passion that would define the rest of her life.
Cibo: Building a Restaurant Empire
After returning to Manila, Forés initially worked in catering before launching Cibo in 1997, a modern Italian caffé-paninoteca that would become her flagship brand. The restaurant's success led to expansion across Metro Manila, eventually growing to 30 branches nationwide. Cibo became synonymous with accessible Italian cuisine executed with quality ingredients and authentic technique. The brand continues to operate today, serving as a testament to Forés' vision of bringing Italian dining culture to Filipino audiences.
Expanding the Portfolio
Forés' success with Cibo led to additional restaurant concepts, each exploring different facets of Italian and European cuisine. She opened Lusso in 2009, a champagne and gastrobar at Greenbelt 5 serving exquisite European cuisine--the name means 'luxury' in Italian. Lusso expanded to multiple locations including Rockwell and The Podium, offering elevated dining experiences that balanced sophistication with approachability.
Grace Park: Farm-to-Table Vision
Grace Park represented Forés' deepening commitment to the farm-to-table movement that defined her later career. With locations at One Rockwell in Makati and The New Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City, Grace Park showcased heirloom recipes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant embodied Forés' belief that exceptional cuisine starts with quality ingredients and respect for Filipino agricultural traditions. Grace Park continues to serve Filipino and Italian cuisine that honors both her culinary training and her commitment to supporting local farmers.
Asia's Best Female Chef
In 2016, Forés received international recognition when she was named Asia's Best Female Chef by the World's 50 Best Restaurants. The award cited her success in building a 'culinary empire' in the Philippines and her passionate advocacy for the farm-to-table movement. This recognition placed Filipino cuisine and hospitality on the global stage, validating Forés' decades of work in elevating Manila's dining scene. She used this platform to champion local ingredients, sustainable farming practices, and the development of Filipino culinary talent.
Other Ventures and Legacy
Beyond her flagship restaurants, Forés' portfolio included Cafe Bola, Pepato, The Loggia in Pasay's Casa de Memoria, and Cibo di M, her catering company. Each venture reflected different aspects of her culinary vision while maintaining her commitment to quality and authenticity. She mentored countless chefs and hospitality professionals, many of whom went on to open their own successful establishments. Her influence on Manila's dining scene extended far beyond her own restaurants.
A Lasting Impact
Margarita Forés passed away on February 11, 2025, in Hong Kong while returning to Manila from a trip to Morocco and Madrid. Her death from cardiac arrest shocked the Philippine culinary community, which mourned the loss of one of its most influential figures. Yet her legacy endures through the restaurants that continue to operate, the chefs she mentored, and the farm-to-table movement she championed. Forés demonstrated that exceptional cuisine could be both accessible and authentic, Italian in inspiration yet deeply Filipino in execution. Her work transformed Manila's dining landscape and set standards that continue to influence the city's culinary evolution.