Margarita Forés named Asia’s Best Female Chef 2016

Chef and owner of an acclaimed group of restaurants in Manila, Margarita Forés, has been crowned Asia’s Best Female Chef 2016 by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna.

Margarita is the first and only Filipino recipient of the award. She will be presented with the award on 29 February at the W Hotel in Bangkok.

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.”

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A former accountant, Margarita founded a successful catering business, Cibo Di M, using her wealth of knowledge gained travelling throughout Italy in the late 1980's and later opened her first Italian inspired restaurant, Cibo. Since its debut 18 years ago, Cibo has expanded to 10 outlets throughout Manila.

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

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

As part of her ongoing commitment to promote her culinary heritage to an international audience, Margarita also co-authored Kulinarya, a compendium of popular regional dishes.

Asia’s Best Female Chef Award is voted for by over 300 industry experts from across the region who also create the annual list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.