The culinary world has lost one in all its own. Chef Margarita Forés has passed away on the age of 65. Her son, Amado Forés, shared the news on social media, writing, “It’s with a heavy heart that I share the sudden passing of my mom, Margarita A. Forés. Our family is mourning this unexpected loss, and we kindly ask in your prayers during this time. We’ll give you the chance to share more in due time.”
As family, friends, and fans mourn her loss, learn more about her legacy with five facts that Hollywood Life has rounded up.
Chef Margarita Forés Was Born within the Philippines
Margarita Araneta Forés was born on March 23, 1959, within the Philippines.
Chef Margarita Forés Was Never Married
In response to multiple outlets, Margarita was never married. While she kept her personal life private, she did share a photograph of Amado’s father, Danding, on his birthday on February 23, 2020.
Chef Margarita Forés Opened Cibo
In 1997, she launched her own Italian restaurant, Cibo. On the restaurant’s website, she shared the story behind its creation, “In 1987, I started my journey in Italy, learning learn how to cook from three Italian signoras. I learned a really home-style approach to cooking. With sessions of their kitchens within the mornings, lessons about the most effective and freshest ingredients within the markets over lunch, and dinners at different restaurants within the evenings, they shared priceless knowledge and wisdom in regards to the country’s cuisine and culture with me.”
She continued, “I got here back home and spent nearly a decade sharing my new-found passion, cooking in people’s homes, slowly learning the ropes of a profession within the food industry. In 1997, I finally opened my first CIBO, a contemporary Italian caffé-paninoteca, inspired by the mushrooming panino places within the cities of Milan and Rome. Since then, now we have grown, proudly serving a wide selection of authentic Italian dishes—antipasti, zuppe, insalate, paste, pizze, secondi piatti, dolci and bevande. We proceed to thrive at many locations in town, bringing this real, modern taste of Italy to Manila.”
Chef Margarita Forés Was a Two-Time Cancer Survivor
In response to Manila Standard, the celebrity chef battled cancer twice, including a fight against thyroid cancer in 2006.
Chef Margarita Forés’ Explanation for Death
As of the time of publication, her reason behind death has not been confirmed. In response to multiple outlets, she was found unresponsive in her hotel room in Hong Kong.
