Celebrity chef Margarita Fores ‘found dead in hotel room’ aged 65 (Image: Instagran Margarita Fores)
Margarita Forés has sadly died at the age of 65.
The award-winning chef was found unresponsive in her Hong Kong hotel room after missing a lunch meeting, according to Manila Standard.
Her son Amado confirmed the news of her death in a post to his social media, writing: “Dear Friends and Family, It is with a heavy heart that I share the sudden passing of my Mom, Margarita A. Forés.
“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.”
A cause of death has not been confirmed.
Gordon Ramsey recently visited Margarita’s restaurant (Image: Instagram Margarita Fores)
Recent posts to her , which has 90,000 followers, show her pictured with fellow celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay – and on the front cover of magazine Tatler Asia.
She gushed over the British chef’s visit just weeks ago, writing, “Gordon Ramsay @gordongram came to our Farmers’ Market at Araneta City @aranetacity! We were so happy to welcome him and show him all the beauty of our country’s produce at the market! He and his chef were particularly interested in our Philippine Lapu-Lapu that they use at @gordonramsaybarandgrillph for their super fish and chips!
Our ulang, Bulacan river prawn caught his eye too and he had it cooked in garlic butter at our favorite Dampa stall at the market , Aling Cadiang’s ! He also enjoyed a Lapu-Lapu sinigang, among others….happy that our family , @piaroj , @amadofores and @carmelafortuna, and the @aranetacity team were all there and so thrilled to welcome him!”
Fores was named Asia’s Best Female Chef of 2016 after joining the culinary world having previously trained as a public accountant.
Fores was named Asia’s Best Female Chef of 2016 after joining the culinary world having previously trained as a public accountant.
She opened her first restaurant in 1997, Cibo, which serves Italian food. It now boasts over 20 different locations in the Philippines.
She had developed her love for Italian food while working in New York, going on to train in Italy before launching Cibo.
Fores recently opened up about retiring as the two-time cancer survivor told Tatler Asia she was planning to “wind down”.
She said: “At 65, I have realized I have worked so hard already. So, what I really want to do is wind down a little bit.’
“Amado feels that catering saps so much of my energy. He feels that I don’t need that kind of headache anymore,” she added, before sharing her wish to travel more as she stepped back from the culinary business.