MANILA, Philippines – Margarita Fores was a legend that the Filipino culinary world lost on February 11.
She was a decorated chef, caterer, and restaurateur who was at the helm of several popular establishments, including CIBO and Grace Park.
Her impact, however, was global. Numerous big names from different parts of the world would pay visits to one of Margarita’s restaurants whenever they were in the Philippines, and she would also cater big events attended by world leaders.
Served by the legendary chef
Barack Obama
Margarita curated a Filipino menu at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit Dinner in 2015, which served a whopping 800 guests, including then-US president Barack Obama. The late chef told Country & Town House in an interview that this was the most memorable event she had catered.
Bono and The Edge
In 2019, Bono and The Edge of famed Irish rock band U2 also dropped by Grace Park during their Manila concert. The late chef posted a photo with the two musicians, beaming at the fact that they dined at her restaurant.
This encounter had clearly been one of her favorites, as she posted about it again a year later, saying, “Life is so good. It was super good last year, and we make the best of everything every time!”
“It’s been a year but this hug with Bono still feels as warm,” she said in another post.
Martha Stewart
She had the chance to cook lunch for Stewart during her first visit to the country in 2019. In an Instagram post, Margarita shared that it was Martha who helped “inspire [her] passion for the last three decades of [her] life.”
“I brought my 33-year old yellowing copy of her book that was a life-changing read and source-book for me. Teary-eyed and emotional, I had her sign my book. I came full circle,” she wrote.
In an interview with Country & Town House, the late chef admitted that it was her encounter with Martha that left her the most starstruck.
“I was a huge fan when I was starting out and having the chance to cook for her at the National Museum of the Philippines was an unforgettable experience,” she shared.
Alain Passard
Margarita also had the chance to cook for Alain Passard, who founded the three-star Michelin Restaurant L’Arpège in Paris, during his visit to Manila. She said she was brought to tears the first time she tried his Langoustine Carpaccio dish with Caviar, and teared up again when she met him when he landed in the Philippines.
She served him a Filipino feast: Cerveza Negra-infused lechon, lamb adobo with nata de coco atchara, ulang with talangka, rice wrapped in banana leaves, pako, and red egg salad. She also made Parmigiano Reggiano cassava cake for him.
Ed Sheeran
British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, meanwhile, dropped by Steak & Frice, owned by Margarita’s son, Amado, who is a restaurateur himself.
“So blessed to have met you and shared [Steak & Frice] and Filipino food with you, Ed Sheeran! A wonderful evening at Steak & Frice with you,” she captioned the photo she posted of herself with the “Lego House” singer.
Dua Lipa
English-Albanian pop star Dua Lipa flew to Manila in November 2024 for her “Radical Optimism” concert. But before she took the Philippine Arena stage, she dined at Grace Park in Makati for lunch.
The “Levitating” singer wrote a sweet note for the Grace Park team, letting them know how much she loved the uni pasta.
“I loved it all so much! The uni pasta was to die for. Can’t wait to come back,” she wrote on the feedback card.
Gordon Ramsay
Margarita also toured British chef Gordon Ramsay around the Farmers Market in Araneta City when he was in the country in January this year. Notably, it was Margarita’s maternal grandfather, J. Amado Araneta, who founded the Araneta Center.
While she wasn’t able to cook for him, she told him all about the “beauty of our country’s produce,” like the lapu-lapu, which is used in the fish and chips served at the Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill in Pasay City, and the ulang.
State dinners, prestigious events
Margarita’s catering business Cibo di Marghi — which is now called Margarita Signature Caterer — was present during President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration, catering high-profile events both locally and internationally.
The acclaimed chef organized the Barrio Fiesta for US President George W. Bush’s state visit and was part of the Philippine delegation during Arroyo’s state visit to Spain. She also catered for the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) for three years.
In February 2015, Margarita, along with chef Myrna Segismundo, made history as the first Filipino chefs to participate in the prestigious international gastronomic event, Madrid Fusion at the Palacio Municipal de los Congresos de Madrid.
There, Margarita demonstrated the preparation of two versions of kinilaw (ceviche) from her home province of Negros, which was well-received by globally renowned chefs and culinary icons.
Margarita’s legacy will always be remembered, and it’s no question why her food was so well-loved, not just by Filipinos, but by celebrities, chefs, and political figures from all over the world. – Rappler.com
