Margarita Forés, a celebrated Filipino chef and restaurant owner, has died at the age of 65, as announced by her son, Amado Forés, in an Instagram post on February 11, 2025. He shared the family’s grief over her “sudden passing,” calling it an “unexpected loss” and asked for prayers during this challenging time. He promised to provide additional information in due time.

As reported by the Manila Standard, Forés was discovered unresponsive in her Hong Kong hotel room after she failed to show up for a lunch meeting. The official cause of her death has not been disclosed yet.

Forés, a prominent figure in the food industry, was named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016. She established a stronghold in the Philippine food sector with her Italian restaurant chain Cibo, which she started in 1997 and expanded to more than 20 locations. Her business ventures later included Lusso, Grace Park, The Loggia, a catering service, a flower shop, and a cooking school.

The esteemed chef fell in love with Italian cuisine during a stay in New York and later improved her skills with training in Italy. Forés began her culinary career in catering before starting Cibo, a restaurant that aimed to introduce “authentic” Italian tastes to a wider audience. Her goal was to provide a dining experience in a “mall setting” that offered “value for money,” while adhering to classic Italian cooking methods.

Forés, born into a notable Philippine family, was the granddaughter of J. Amado Araneta, the prominent businessman who developed Araneta Center, now known as Araneta City. She initially pursued a degree in accounting but later shifted to culinary arts after her grandfather’s death in 1985.

Throughout her career, Forés gained acclaim for her efforts in elevating Filipino cuisine, all while maintaining robust influences from her Italian training. She also advocated for sustainable and farm-to-table dining practices in the Philippines.

In November 2024, 50 Top Pizza listed Cibo as the 44th among the 50 Top World Artisan Pizza Chains. Earlier that year, the Philippine Daily Inquirer honored her as one of the Women of Power awardees.

On February 2, 2025, Forés and her son, Amado, appeared on the cover of “Tatler Asia“, where she reflected on her long-standing career and expressed a desire to “wind down a bit” after dedicating many years to her craft. At 65, she recognized her numerous achievements but still harbored one final goal—to open a restaurant bearing her name before retirement.

Amado, who shares his mother’s culinary passion, expressed a commitment to preserving her legacy in the “Tatler” interview. He voiced his ambition of gradually assuming control of her restaurants while ensuring the “soul of what she does” is preserved. His objective is to honor her culinary identity while adding his personal touch to her esteemed establishments.

A two-time cancer survivor, Forés defeated thyroid cancer in 2006. Her death has sparked a wave of tributes on social media from friends, colleagues, and fans.

Cibo paid homage to its founder, Forés, in a touching Facebook post, describing her as their “guiding light.” The restaurant praised her “warmth, creativity, and unwavering spirit,” underscoring the enduring impact she left on their team and customers. They expressed profound gratitude for her dedication to her work, affirming that she would “always be CIBO.”

Various social media platforms have seen an outpouring of tributes, expressing condolences and admiration for Forés’ contributions to the culinary world. One user highlighted her “warmth” and the “love she infused into her cooking,” stressing how her talent and the meals she created made a lasting impression. Fans expressed their appreciation for the joy her food brought into their lives.

Apart from her restaurants, Forés’ influence reached beyond borders. She started the Asian Campus at Casa Artusi, a culinary school in Italy, and made appearances on television shows, including CNN’s “Culinary Journeys.”

Forés’ legacy in the Philippine culinary scene is undeniable, and her influence will continue to be felt through the restaurants and businesses she developed and through her son, Amado, who now carries on her vision.