Many continue to mourn the death of the well-loved chef and entrepreneur.

PEP.ph dissects the final social media posts of Chef Margarita Fores, detailing her dining experience at Chef Palash Mitra's Prince and the Peacock restaurant in Hong Kong.
Margarita Forés, the chef and founder of the Italian restaurant Cibo, was found dead in her hotel room in Hong Kong on February 11, 2025. She was in Hong Kong for a stopover after traveling to Morocco and Spain, and was about to return to Manila when she passed away. 

PHOTO/S: Screengrab from Instagram | @margaritafores

Ito ang sanhi ng biglaang pagpanaw ng tanyag na chef at restaurateur na si Margarita Forés, 65.

Nitong nakaraang Martes, February 11, 2025, lumabas ang balitang natagpuang wala ng buhay sa loob ng kuwarto ng tinutuluyang hotel sa Hong Kong ang founder ng sikat na restaurants na Lusso, Grace Park, Alta, at Cibo.

Ang anak ni Margarita na si Amado ang nagbahagi ng dahilan ng pagkamatay ng kanyang ina.

Nagpadala si Amado ng mensahe sa media nitong Sabado, February 15.

“Her death was reported as due to cardiac arrest,” sambit ni Amado.

Dagdag pa nito: “My mom touched so many lives. Thank you all for the love and support you have given me and my family during this difficult time.

“Your kindness and the memories you’ve shared about my mom give me comfort and strength.

“Her passion, precision, and generosity defined her. The flavors she loved, the standards she set, and the lives she touched will endure because Margarita never just cooked; she transformed.”

BELOVED EVEN OUTSIDE THE KITCHEN

Agad bumuhos ang mensahe ng pagdadalamhati mula isa iba’t ibang personalidad na kilala at nakatrabaho ni Margarita matapos lumabas ang malungkot na balita tungkol sa pagpanaw nito.

Kabilang ang aktres at restaurant owner na si Judy Ann Santos sa nagbigay ng tribute sa Cibo founder sa pamamagitan ng Instagram Stories na may larawan ni Margarita.

“You will never be forgotten chef. Heaven gained a talented and inspiring angel,” saad ni Judy Ann.

Maging ang aktor at restaurant owner din na si Matteo Guidicelli ay nagpahatid din ng mensahe para sa namayapang chef at negosyante.

“We shared so many special moments together, and I will always be grateful for your encouragement and motivation, especially in the restaurant business,” bungad ni Matteo sa isang Instagram post.

“You were not just a mentor but a true friend—always a joy to be with. You will always and forever be the best.”

ASIA’S BEST FEMALE CHEF

Lumaki sa Maynila si Margarita bago ito lumipad patungong Amerika para mag-kolehiyo.

Nagmula sa prestihiyosong pamilya si Margarita.

Ang kanyang lolo na si J. Amado Araneta, ay ang negosyante na nasa likod ng pagpapalago ng Araneta Center sa Cubao, Quezon City.

Samantala, ang isa pa niyang lolo, Dr. Jose Y. Forés, ay kinikilala bilang isa sa mga naunang surgeon sa bansa at co-founder ng pribadong ospital na Makati Medical Center.

Bagama’t accountancy ang kursong natapos ay nagtungo ng Italy si Margarita noong 1986 para mag-aral ng culinary, partikular ng Italian cuisine.

Nagamit ni Margarita ang kanyang kaalaman sa pagluluto nang buksan niya ang Cibo restaurant sa Glorietta 3 sa Makati nung 1997 matapos niyang pasukin ang catering business.

Naging matagumpay ang Cibo at kalaunan ay dumami ang branches nito sa loob at labas ng Metro Manila.

Taong 2016 ng parangalan si Margarita bilang Asia’s Best Female Chef.