Margarita Forés named as Asia’s best female chef

San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna have crowned Margarita Forés from the Philippines as Asia’s best female chef for 2016.

Chef and owner of several Manila-based restaurants, former public accountant Margarita Forés will be presented with her award on 29 February at Bangkok’s W Hotel.

Using the knowledge she gained from travelling around Italy in 1986, Forés founded a successful culinary business, Cibo Di M and later, Cibo, her first Italian restaurant. The homegrown café concept introduced local diners to traditional Italian cuisine while championing local producers and organic ingredients. Since its debut 18 years ago, Cibo has expanded to 10 outlets throughout Manila.

Building on Cibo’s success, Forés branched out with other restaurant concepts, including Lusso, a Champagne and gastro bar, and Grace Park, an Italian restaurant specialising in farm-to-table cuisine.

In 2013, Forés partnered with Casa Artusi, an historic culinary institution in Forlimpopoli, northern Italy, to open Casa Artusi Philippines. Focused on teaching students the traditional techniques of home-style Italian cooking, Casa Artusi in Manila is the Italian school’s first and only offshore campus.

A proud advocate of Filipino cuisine, Fores has also co-authored Kulinarya, a collection of popular regional dishes.

William Drew, group editor of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, said: “Margarita Forés is a worthy recipient of the Asia’s Best Female Chef Award. A true leader in her country’s restaurant sector, her dedication, culinary skills and pioneering efforts have elevated the dining scene in the Philippines and set a new benchmark for other chefs and restaurateurs to follow.”