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A new restaurant with chef Margarita Forés on the pass, plus a total refresh of Margarita A Forés Concepts & Style, Inc
Margarita Forés recently dropped an announcement that piqued our curiosity and turned many heads. Not only is she rebranding her entire restaurant and F&B empire (the group that houses Cibo, Cibo di Marghi, Fiori di Marghi, The Loggia, Grace Park Dining, Lusso and more), but she is also opening a new signature fine dining restaurant, all of which will be titled, Margarita, donning her elegant signature as their logos.
Her illustrious career spans over four decades and is glittered with unforgettable milestones and accolades, from being a UN Ambassador for Gastronomy Tourism to being awarded Asia’s Best Female Chef 2016. From her exquisite catering service to her many time-tested restaurants, she has, without a doubt, cemented herself as an icon in our F&B industry. Forés is a known pioneer when it comes to promoting and elevating Filipino cuisine both locally and on the world stage. As a staunch advocate for Filipino gastronomy and local produce, she has maintained her passionate course, spreading the good word throughout her entire career.
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Now, after 37 years in the game, she ushers in a time for a change, laying down the groundwork for what is poised to be an iconic, striking brand identity. “This is my legacy,” she comments.
To kick things off and get the wheels rolling on the company rebrand, she tapped Chris Owen and Victoria Tang-Owen of Thrty30 Creative. Their firm produces innovative solutions for clients such as Rosewood, New World, Dorsett Hotels, hospitality groups JIA and Leading Nation, retailers Joyce and Lane Crawford, and international fashion brands such as Dior and the Tod’s Group. “The motivation to build the Margarita brand was to streamline all of Margarita’s many business interests and creative outlets into one coherent identity that truly represents Margarita,” says Victoria Tang-Owen, creative director of Thirty30 Creative.
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Her unmistakable whimsical flare, homey touch, and sophisticated eye can be seen and felt throughout each brand and were taken into account when finalising the group’s refresh. “We met with Margarita several times, and we had this beautiful lightbulb moment when Victoria noticed Margarita’s penmanship (beyond handwriting),” shares Chris Owen, managing director of Thirty30 Creative. “Victoria determined that this handwritten logotype would perfectly showcase Margarita’s attention to detail, creativity, education, and appreciation for aesthetics.”
Forés shared that all her restaurants will retain their current names under the new group, Margarita, but her catering service will change from Cibo di Marghi to Margarita Signature Caterer and the floral atelier will evolve from Fiori di Marghi to Margarita Floralscapes. She will also continue to sell her bottled goods and treats under the name Margarita Gourmet and rebrand her health food line as Margarita Wellness. Lastly, we can expect the soon-to-come Margarita Home line, where you can shop her collection of plates and tableware.
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The most exciting announcement was that her soon-to-rise eponymously named signature restaurant will be located at The Shops at Ayala Triangle Gardens. This fine-dining Italian-Filipino concept can be thought of as the revival of the exquisite Pepato—Pepato 2.0 if you will. The first floor will house the à la carte menu, while the second floor will host the tasting menu experience with chef Margarita herself. On days she will be unable to be in the kitchen, the second floor will be converted into a bar. At the restaurant, she divulged that its menu would showcase her iconic recipes and a range of fresh creations inspired by her all-time favourite ingredients and experiences.
This highly anticipated eatery will be designed by top interior designer and architect Sean Dix, someone who has known Forés for quite some time. With design offices in both Hong Kong and Milan, his global perspective brings an added layer of depth and sophistication to this project. Margarita will be what he describes as a “plush sala”, an elegant yet eclectic space designed to welcome a spectrum of guests.
“I think this may be my finale, opening my signature restaurant–a swan song,” she exclaims.
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When reminiscing on all the brilliant highs along her delicious journey, memories of Cibo stand out quite powerfully in her memory: “That was a magical time for me because I was just very eager, and I’m just really happy that after 27 years now that we’ve opened 26 stores and are still bringing a very unique authentic experience to the market.” Her reach, personal evolution, and growth of her F&B portfolio throughout her career have impacted not only diners but chefs, restaurateurs and audiences around the globe as well. “It’s been quite a ride. All these recognitions are not just about me. It was also [an] affirmation that the world was watching Filipino food closely. It took a while for us to come around. But it’s wonderful to see that we now have this newfound love affair with our own.”
We cannot wait to see the space, try the food, and experience an all-new Margarita. Stay tuned to learn more!
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About
Isabel loves to learn, and see things from different perspectives. Connecting with people and engaging in new experiences to broaden her horizons is what inspires this storyteller, keeping her constantly curious, and excited for what's to come. An absolute love for all things F&B ignited a hunger to devour content from this world and keeps her jumping into tasty adventures around the globe. From the beauty of simple bites, to nuanced fine dining tasting menus, street food, and the art of entertaining, the multi-faceted nature of the dining experience is something she can't get enough of. A good cup of coffee or a glass of wine paired with a dash of witty conversation is a quick way to win her over. This editor loves travelling, food, music, skincare, fitness, and is only friends with people who love dogs. Guilty pleasure?: Binge-watching TV shows and movies she has already seen.
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Concept creation is the name of the game and branding takes centre stage in Isabel's day-to-day schedule. From producing shoots, conceptualising bespoke projects for our partners, relationship management, to cooking up features and events for Tatler Dining, this editor is a tried and tested foodie at heart. She mainly writes content for Tatler Dining, engaging in captivating discussions with restaurateurs, chefs, producers, and food enthusiasts to tell must-know stories. Aside from that Isabel manages Tatler Dining's flagship events like Off Menu, or Cocktail Festival and puts together the Tatler Dining Guide, our annual listing of the best eats around town.
Follow her on Instagram @isabelvmf.
