Regina Troy Barrios

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Margarita Fores Medal of Merit 

Margarita “Gaita” Forés carved a legacy that transcended kitchens and borders. On May 4, 2025, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. posthumously <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/5/4/nora-aunor-pilita-corrales-gloria-romero-margarita-fores-receive-presidential-medal-of-merit-2226" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">awarded her the Presidential Medal of Merit</a>, celebrating her role in proving Filipino cuisine’s world-class caliber. She was honored alongside other cultural icons—Nora Aunor, Gloria Romero, and Pilita Corrales—who also received posthumous medals. This honor, coupled with her recent recognition as an<a href="https://www.theworlds50best.com/asia/en/awards/icon-award.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> official culinary “Icon” by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants</a>, underscores Forés’ indelible mark on global gastronomy.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746423904438Workbench Thumbnail.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>The late chef Margarita Forés | Photo: EAT Public Relations </div>Forés, who passed away unexpectedly last February at age 65 in a Hong Kong hotel room, was a culinary visionary. Named <a href="https://www.theworlds50best.com/stories/News/philippine-chef-margarita-fores-is-named-asias-best-female-chef-2016.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016</a> by the <a href="https://www.theworlds50best.com/stories/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">World’s 50 Best Restaurants</a>, she transformed Filipino cuisine from home-cooked comfort to haute cuisine. Her journey began in 1986, training in Italy’s rustic kitchens, where she mastered the art of simplicity and quality. Returning to Manila, she launched <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ciboph/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cibo</a> in 1997, a chain that blended Italian techniques with Filipino warmth, followed by acclaimed restaurants like<a href="https://www.instagram.com/graceparkdining/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Grace Park</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lusso_manila/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lusso</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alta_ascottbgc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alta</a>. Each venue showcased her farm-to-table philosophy, spotlighting local ingredients—Batangas beef, Bohol shrimp, Bukidnon heirloom rice—to tell the Philippines’ story on a plate.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746424084561first cibo.png" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Forés opened the very first branch of Cibo in 1997 | Photo: EAT Public Relations </div>The<a href="https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/pbbm-chef-gaita-fores-proved-filipino-food-is-world-class/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Presidential Medal of Merit</a>, presented to her family in a heartfelt ceremony, recognized Forés for “promoting regional flavors and ingredients from Filipino communities.” President Marcos praised her for elevating dishes like adobo, kinilaw, and lechon to international acclaim, earning nods from multi awarded chefs in Asia and Europe. Her catering for global leaders, including US Presidents Barack Obama and George Bush, and Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, turned diplomatic tables into showcases of Filipino pride.ABS-CBN’s Fascinating Women of 2025  highlighted Forés’ role as a trailblazer. Beyond her restaurants, she was a mentor to many young chefs and culinary students. Multi-awarded chefs Jordy Navarra and Chele González credit her for inspiring modern Filipino cuisine. Her advocacy for sustainable sourcing, through partnerships with the <a href="https://www.da.gov.ph" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Department of Agriculture</a>, empowered local farmers, while her appearances at global events like <a href="https://www.madridfusion.net/en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Madrid Fusión</a> and the <a href="https://www.slowfood.com/events/terra-madre/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Terra Madre</a> in Torino brought Filipino flavors to the world stage. Forés was so respected in the culinary world that she played a pivotal role  in bringing <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madridfusionmanila/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Madrid Fusion to the Philippines</a>, marking its first occurrence outside of Spain.  As food writer Anne Marie Ozaeta noted, her work “redefined how Filipinos see their own cuisine,” fostering cultural confidence.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746424394633ajay (20).jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Fores (here with farmers and then Department of Agriculture secretary Berna Puyat) was a strong advocate for Filipino farmers | Photo: EAT Public Relations </div>Her crowning as an “Icon” by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in March 2025, just weeks after her passing, cemented her global influence. The award, joining legends like <a href="https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2013/04/15/Alain-Ducasse-World-s-50-Best/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Alain Ducasse</a>, celebrated her for “pushing boundaries” and inspiring a generation of Filipino culinarians. Forés’ restaurants, from Cibo’s accessible Italian-Filipino fare to Alta’s fine-dining elegance, reflected her versatility. She championed native ingredients like calamansi and kesong puti, weaving them into dishes that felt both nostalgic and innovative. Her son, Amado, now steward of her legacy, recalls her mantra: “Filipino food is our soul, and it deserves to shine.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746424825015abs news.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>President Marcos awarded the posthumous Presidential Medal of Merit to Forés’ family | Photo: ABS-CBN News </div>Forés’ impact resonates as the Philippines hosts events like the UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism. Tributes from peers—Chef Gilbert Pangilinan called her “the mother of modern Filipino food,” while restaurateur Ben Chan remembered her passion in Rome’s markets—reflect her warmth and drive. The Presidential Medal of Merit is more than an accolade; it’s a call to carry forward Forés’ vision. Her legacy challenges chefs and diners alike to embrace Filipino cuisine as a dynamic force, rooted in tradition yet boundless in ambition, inviting the world to savor its soul.

Margarita “Gaita” Forés carved a legacy that transcended kitchens and borders. On May 4, 2025, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. posthumously awarded her the Presidential Medal of Merit, celebrating her role in proving Filipino cuisine’s world-class caliber.

Margarita “Gaita” Forés carved a legacy that transcended kitchens and borders. On May 4, 2025, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. posthumously awarded her the Presidential Medal of Merit, celebrating her role in proving Filipino cuisine’s world-class caliber.

Margarita Forés Awarded Posthumous Medal For Proving Filipino Food Belongs On The World Stage

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Margarita Forés Awarded Posthumous Medal For Proving Filipino Food Belongs On The World Stage

Metro.Style Team

Published May 05, 2025 02:06 PM PHT

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