Regina Troy Barrios

Article (news)

Vicky Cheng

<p>The true measure of a life well-lived is the impact one leaves on the lives of others. <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/food/2025/2/17/in-photos-margarita-fores-and-the-photos-that-tell-her-story-1722" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Margarita Forés</strong></a>, the acclaimed chef and restaurateur who passed away last February 11,  received an outpouring of heartfelt tributes not just from her fellow Filipinos, but including some of the most renowned chefs in the world.</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reneredzepinoma/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rene Redzepi</a>, the visionary chef who redefined the way the world thinks about food through his foraging-driven, Nordic-inspired cuisine at Noma, paid Forés heartfelt homage in a post on the Instagram account of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ciboph/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cibo</a>, Forés’s Italian restaurant.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1739806968704Rene Redzepi.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>“This is incredibly sad news. Just a few months ago, we were together in Kyoto—full of life, full of energy. Life is fleeting. Sometimes unfair. You were such a kind and genuine person. My deepest condolences to everyone around you. A heartbreaking day. Sleep well chef. And thank you,&quot; wrote Redzepi.</p><p>Other culinary giants followed suit. <strong>Cristina Bowerman</strong>, a Michelin-starred Italian chef known for her bold, innovative approach to cuisine, blending global influences with Italian tradition at her renowned restaurant, Glass Hostaria, simply wrote: “I will miss you. I still cannot believe it.” Bowerman was in Manila in 2024 when she was a guest chef at the 11th anniversary of Solaire.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DF70NBqtKqy/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=908&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A538175%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="724" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Jen Balisi, an influencer known for her indulgent takes on Asian cuisines through her blog <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jenbalisi/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Indulgent Eats</a>, says: “I was in awe of her warm nature and her immense cooking ability, fusing her vast experience in Italian cooking with her Filipino roots in a way only she could. She even supported [Barkada] on her travel television show The Crawl Hong Kong, so I’m forever indebted to her and devastated at the news of her passing.”</p><p>Food and luxury travel journalist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chrismdwyer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chris Dwyer</a>, who met Forés at the Madrid Fusion Manila in 2015, says: “Gaita Forés was one of Asia’s most important culinary figures and the devastating news of her untimely departure has left a void that will be impossible to fill,” He last dined with her in December.</p><p>He adds: “Her boundless energy and enthusiasm, along with her vast experience and knowledge, meant that every moment spent with her was a revelation. Whether [it was] a newly discovered Filipino ingredient or a secret spot in her beloved Italy, you came away wiser, excited, energised – and always with a smile on your face.</p><p>“Her legacy, however, will continue to inspire everyone from chefs to writers and diners to farmers, for many generations to come.”</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DF7xdbHSLQ-/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=908&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A716563%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1149" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Some of the most moving tributes were paid by international chefs who had become good friends with Forés. Hong Kong-based Vicky Cheng, the Michelin-starred chef behind restaurant VEA, says he was completely heartbroken by the news. “Why is life so not fair!!? I was just speaking to you yesterday, you asked me to to go out for a nightcap… and I said I had one early morning I couldn’t come out… I didn’t know it was the last time you were ever going to ask me,&quot; he laments.</p><p>Cheng added: “In our next life, I want you to feed me Filipino fruits again, cook tot, and make you claypot rice again.The culinary world just lost one of the kindest persons ever existed [sic]”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DF7nzj7zwFI/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=908&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A778552%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1059" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><div><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Renowned Thai chef ThiTid Tassanakajohn wrote: “Culinary world is mourning, tears in my eyes. Not only we lost one of the most iconic culinary figures, but also the best human I have ever had a privilege to call a friend.. May you rest in peace @margaritafores You will always be in our hearts. Your kindness, your laugh, your big smile, drinks we shared together, ton of white wines we drank together. Most importantly, the example you have shown us in the chef world. I will remember to be kind, to hold a good heart even the world turns on me. I will make people smile and laugh. And I will remember to be a good person. Fair well for now but we will meet again @amadofores the whole culinary world standing behind you. Be strong brother.&quot;</p><p>Among her peers, Margarita Forés was respected and acclaimed. She was also loved.</p>

<p><b>From Asia To Europe, Culinary Giants Share Heartfelt Tributes To Margarita Forés</b></p>

From Asia To Europe, Culinary Giants Share Heartfelt Tributes To Margarita Forés

From Asia To Europe, Culinary Giants Share Heartfelt Tributes To Margarita Forés

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From Asia To Europe, Culinary Giants Share Heartfelt Tributes To Margarita Forés

Metro.Style Team

Published February 16, 2025 12:00 AM PHT

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Updated February 18, 2025 12:05 AM PHT

Read More:

margarita fores

cibo

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margarita fores legacy

culinary icon

philippine gastronomy

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vicky cheng

rene redzepi

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