Margarita Forés

Margarita "Gaita" Araneta Forés (March 23, 1959 – February 11, 2025) was a Filipino chef and restaurateur. In 2016, she was named Asia's Best Female Chef on the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Forés initially worked in catering before launching the chain Cibo, as well as several individual restaurants.^[1][2]

Early life

Born on March 23, 1959, to Raul Forés and María Lourdes Araneta, Margarita Forés was a granddaughter of the tycoon J. Amado Araneta, owner and developer of the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City, and eminent surgeon Dr. Jose Y.^[1]

Culinary career

In 1986, Forés went to Italy for four months to undertake intensive training both in Italian cuisine as well as the language. She has had no formal training in culinary skills. Forés studied under three chefs in Italy, Masha Innoscenti in Florence, Jo Bettoja in Rome, and Ada Parasiliti in Milan.^[1]

Personal life and death

Forés survived cancer twice, including thyroid cancer around 2006. She had a son, Jorge Amado (the namesake of her grandfather), who owns the Italian restaurant a mano and the Japanese restaurant Ramen Ron.^[1]

Awards

Forés was named Asia's Best Female Chef as part of the 2016 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list, part of The World's 50 Best Restaurants. Forés admitted surprise at winning the award, comparing it to Miss Universe, and credited the victory to her work in promoting Filipino products both within the Philippines and abroad. She promoted Job's tears, a gluten-free grain grown in areas of the Philippines where rice does not grow successfully.^[1]