Chefs recall Margarita Forés, ‘kind-hearted' and a ‘culinary icon'
Chef Margarita Araneta Forés, best known for her culinary empire that included Cibo, Grace Park and Lusso, has died aged 65, sending the restaurant community into mourning.
Forés' son, Amado, announced the news on his social media account on February 11. 'It is with a heavy heart that I share the sudden passing of my Mom, Margarita A. Forés,' read the caption. '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.'
Condolences quickly came in from across the food and drink community, expressing shock and grief at the chef's sudden passing. The Filipino chef had been visiting Hong Kong in recent days, and her final Instagram story, posted on Monday, showed she had recently dined at Prince and the Peacock, an Indian restaurant in Central district on Hong Kong Island.
Chef Vicky Cheng of Wing and VEA shared an emotional post on his own Instagram account, revealing that Forés had invited him out for a nightcap on Monday evening, which he had to decline due to having an early start the next day.
'In our next life, I want you to feed me Filipino fruits again, cook [together], and make you claypot rice again,' he wrote. 'The (culinary) world just lost one of the kindest person [that] ever existed. Condolences to the family, my heart is with you all.'
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