vola Negrenses mourn death of chef, restaurateur Margarita ‘Gaita’ Forés

MARGARITA FORES

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental lost an exceptional daughter and a staunch advocate of Negrense cuisine and heritage with the death of chef and restaurateur Margarita “Gaita” Forés.

Forés, a member of the Araneta clan of Bago City, Negros Occidental, passed away in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Feb. 11. She was 65.

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READ: Margarita Fores, celebrated chef and restaurateur, dies at 65

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Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Friday, Feb. 14 said Fores was a culinary genius who was “a steadfast supporter of our farmers, organic agriculture, and the Negros Slow Food movement.”

Her presence, particularly at the annual Negros Trade Fair, will be deeply missed, he said.

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“(Fores’) culinary mastery not only honored our rich heritage but also continuously elevated and innovated not only the Filipino cuisine, but also the Negrense cuisine, helping make Negros Occidental and Negros Island one of the country’s premier food destinations,” Lacson said.

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READ: Chef Tatung, Erwan Heussaff, Abi Marquez pay tribute to Margarita Forés

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The governor said Fores’ unwavering passion and dedication to her craft will remain an inspiration to us all.

The Association of Negros Producers (ANP), in a Facebook post, said Fores had a deep connection to Negrense cuisine, shaping the way it was celebrated and shared.

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“Her passion for local ingredients, dedication to elevating Filipino flavors, and generosity in mentoring others leaves a lasting impact on the culinary world,” ANP said.

Fores also continued to source ingredients from Negros’ MSMEs, recognizing and championing excellence wherever she found it.

“She was always on the lookout for great food, not just to enjoy, but to preserve, sustain, and pass on,” the ANP said.

The ANP also said Fores’ support for the Negros Trade Fair went beyond presence, “she championed local produce, honored Negrense farmers, and worked alongside fellow chefs to introduce our cuisine to a wider audience.”

“Through her involvement, she helped shape how Negrense culinary heritage was presented, both at home and beyond,” ANP said

“She used her influence and voice to open doors for others, ensuring that local artisans, farmers, and chefs had a place at the table,” it added.

Forés had said her love for food began during her childhood days in Negros.

CEO Patrick Pouyanne has a raft of ambitious projects aimed at propelling growth through the decade, not least a $10 billion offshore investment in Suriname that received a green light Tuesday.

They also always had food from Negros on their tables in Manila, she said.

“It was a big part of my upbringing, it really influenced my love for food,” Fores said.

Bago Mayor Nicholas Yulo lauded Fores for her contributions to the culinary worlds.

“We will remember Gaita as a trailblazing woman who, despite her accomplishments in life and her hectic schedules, never forgot her hometown of Bago,” Yulo said.

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Fores was the daughter of Raul Forés and María Lourdes Aranetavola, and the granddaughter of Negrense businessman Jesus Amado Araneta.

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