MANILA, Philippines – Filipina chef and restaurateur Margarita “Gaita” Araneta-Forés on Tuesday afternoon was named by the group World's 50 Best Restaurants as Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016.
Forés, founder of 18-year-old casual dining chain Cibo, well-established Lusso, and newcomer Grace Partk and Alta at the Ascott hotel at the Bonifacio Global City, was recognized for her achievements in the Philippines and beyond the region.
Last year, Forés was chosen as a headline speaker at the first and only Asian edition of the international gastronomy congress, Madrid Fusion Manila, and was one of the two chefs who served at the APEC welcome dinner last November.
Forés mainly focused on Italian dining as her culinary learning are from Italian market and homes which she applied in her restaurants in the Philippines. She recently opened the first Asian campus of the renowned Italian Culinary School, Casa Artusi Philippines.
After being named the Best Female Chef in 2016, teary-eyed Forés expressed disbelief in jest by imitating the coronation of the Miss Universe.
“I feel like Miss Universe. Don’t take it away, later na,” Forés said after learning about her new title.