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Edu Manzano, Judy Ann Santos, Matteo Guidicelli, and more pay tribute to Margarita Fores
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The news of Margarita Fores' sudden passing shocked many Filipinos around the world. Plenty celebrities joined the culinary industry in mourning the death of an icon.
Judy Ann Santos took to her Instagram Stories to grieve, posting a photo of Fores and writing, “You will never be forgotten chef. Heaven gained a talented and inspiring angel.”
Edu Manzano meanwhile shared an Instagram reel of some of Fores’s moments along with a heartfelt tribute letter to his Gaita, as she is called by her friends.
“To my dear friend Margarita, your presence will be deeply missed but your memories will live on in my heart forever. I am grateful for the moments we shared and the laughter we created together. Rest in paradise my friend. Thank you,” he said.
“Lumpia Queen” Abi Marquez also paid respect to Fores by posting an old photo of her with the celebrity chef.
“‘Must cook for you soon’ — words I wish we had time for. You were one of my biggest inspirations long before we met, and this moment meant the world to me,” she wrote In the caption.
"Thank you for your kindness, your legacy — the Cibo pizza you sent me last Sunday. You left a mark on so many, especially many Filipinas in the kitchen. Rest in power Chef [Magarita Fores],” Abi added.
Matteo Guidicelli also joined the collective mourning, posting a carousel of photos with the chef, calling her tita, and saying "you will be deeply missed."
"We shared so many special moments together, and I will always be grateful for your encouragement and motivation, especially in the restaurant business. You were not just a mentor but a true friend—always a joy to be with. You will always and forever be the bes," Matteo said.
"You will forever be in our hearts. We love you very much," he added.
Film director Tonet Jadaone meanwhile took to X to mourned Fores’ passing. The "Philippine culinary and restaurant scene was forever changed because of Fores," she said.
Gabbi Garcia joined the mourning, posting a black and white photo with Fores and boyfriend Khalil Ramos with Fores on Instagram Stories. “Rest in Power, Chef,” Gabbi wrote, tagging Fores’s account.
Johanne Siy, the only other Filipino chef named as Asia's Best Female Chef apart from Fores, also took time to remember the celebrated culinary icon.
Posting some of her precious moments with Fores, Siy shared that they "were supposed to be in Negros together right now, like we agreed in December. You always spoke so passionately about your hometown it made me want to see it through your eye. The day before, you messaged me that you were in HK and that you would be home soon… I waited,” she said.
“When I got the news about your passing, I was going around Negros with our dear friend. The entire trip, even before we heard the tragic news, we had been talking about the pivotal role you played in establishing the slow food movement in the country and your work in sustaining local communities here,” Siy added.
She described Fores as “larger than life,” and a “force of nature” whose optimism and energy was contagious and whose generosity was boundless.
“The culinary community in the Philippines wouldn’t be where it is today if not for your advocacy. You believed in what we could achieve even before we believed in ourselves. You inspired, opened doors and made things happen. You were our champion,” she said. “Every moment I spent with you left me wishing I had the same energy and tenacity.”
News of Fores' death swept headlines on Tuesday, when her son, Amado announced it on social media.
"It is with a heavy heart that I share the sudden passing of my Mom, Margarita A. Forés," he wrote on Instagram.
"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," he added.
In the comment section, dozens of celebrities sent their condolences including Iza Calzado, Donny Pangilinan, Nadine Lustre, Sofia Andres, Kiana Valenciano, Aika and Tricia Robredo, Karen Davila and beauty queens Angelique Manto and Stacey Gabriel.Fores enlivened the Metro Manila restaurant scene when she opened Cibo in 1997, a chic and casual Italian restaurant that quickly became a hit thanks to its delicious, no-nonsense fare.
Soon, she opened more restaurants like Cafe Bola, Pepato, Lusso, Grace Park, as well as a catering business Cibo di Marghi.
In 2016, she was named Asia's Best Female Chef.
