A famous Filipino chef passed away and was found dead in her hotel room in Hong Kong. 65-year-old Margarita Forés was a celebrity chef who ran restaurants and served Italian and Filipino dishes.
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Her son, Amado Forés, revealed the sudden tragedy in an Instagram post on Tuesday. "It is with a heavy heart that I share the sudden passing of my Mom, Margarita A. Forés," he wrote. "Our family is mourning this unexpected loss, and we kindly ask for your prayers during this time. We will be able to share more in due time."
Famous Filipino Chef Found Dead In Hotel Room
This chef's cause of death is still unknown. Manila Standard reported that witnesses found her unresponsive after a scheduled lunch meeting.
Anyone in the world of cooking would know of Forés. Her crowning achievement was when the World's 50 Best Restaurants named her Asia's Best Female Chef in 2016. Forés pioneered Filipino cuisine worldwide, and she owned many restaurants such as the Cibo chain.
Cibo is Forés' best-known restaurant, a chain of Italian restaurants she launched in 1997. It crafted Italian dishes at affordable prices, as the outlet detailed. There are more than 20 Cibo locations across the Philippines, but her lesser-known spots are Grace Park, Lusso, and Loggia.
These three restaurants allowed Forés to collaborate with both Italian and Filipino cuisine. Not only that, but Forés also ran a culinary school, a catering business, and a floral shop, as reported by the New York Post.
For the past three decades, Forés has built up her cooking career and inspired newcomer chefs. Her career sparked in New York after her family moved there when she was young.
In honor of Forés' tragic death, Cibo's Facebook page posted a
thoughtful message for their founder. "We honor the life and legacy of our founder and guiding light, Chef Margarita Forés," it wrote. "Her warmth, creativity, and unwavering spirit will continue to inspire us all. Thank you for sharing your heart with us, Chef Margarita. You will always be CIBO."Some of the comments have come directly from people who Forés has taught and inspired. "You have been a source of inspiration, guidance, and support, and I am truly grateful for everything you have taught me," Ryan Crisostomo wrote.
"You have provided me with the opportunity to excel in the food industry, and for that, I will always be grateful," they continued. "Your wisdom and mentorship have shaped me into the person I am today, and I am where I am standing right now because of your guidance."
