PHL’s Margarita Fores named Asia’s Best Female Chef

Asia's best female chef is Filipino!

International culinary listmaker The World's 50 Best Restaurants named Chef Margarita “Gaita” Fores as Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016.

She was cited for building a “culinary empire” in the Philippines as well as her “passion for the farm-to-table movement.”

The selection came as a surprise to Fores.

"I feel like Miss Universe," a delighted Fores was seen saying in a video posted by the award-giving body.

"Don't take it away later, ha!" she added jokingly.

Fores suceeded Chef Vicky Lau of Tate Dining Room, Hong Kong.

Fores’ portfolio includes established favorites Cibo and Lusso, newcomers Grace Park and Alta, and catering company Cibo di M. She also recently opened  Casa Artusi Philippines, which is the first Asian campus of the renowned Italian culinary school.

Over the years, Fores has served not only local VIPs but also heads of states, being one of two chefs selected to create the welcome dinner of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2015.

In previous interviews, Fores revealed that she is actually an accountant, but a trip to Italy made her shift careers. When she went back to Manila, she opened Cibo and began her culinary journey.

The chef was also instrumental in organizing the gastronomic summit Madrid Fusion Manila in April 2015, during which top chefs from Spain and Manila shared their culinary knowhow. — Trisha Macas/BM, GMA News