Margarita Forés' son Amado reveals what she served Phil Rosenthal on 'Somebody Feed Phil'
Amado Forés, the son of the late award-winning chef and restaurateur Margarita Forés, shared the dishes she prepared for Phil Rosenthal during a feature for the food and travel documentary Somebody Feed Phil.
Phil had visited the Philippines to film an episode for the eighth season of his show, and Margarita was among the chefs who had the chance to cook up some dishes for the TV host to try.
On his Instagram account, Amado highlighted that it was "surreal" seeing his mom and her restaurant, Grace Park Dining, featured on Somebody Feed Phil. He also said Margarita was "completely in her element, doing what she loved most."
"A lot of people have been asking what she served, and she chose some of her favorite Filipino dishes to share with visitors from abroad," he wrote.
Some of the food she prepared includes Whole Negros Lechon with Margarita Pale Ale, Oven-Roasted Ulang with Talangka Crab Fat, Lamb Balsamico Adobo, and Laing with Lechon.
She also had Phil try Saang Sisig, Baked Capiz Scallops, Tanigue Kinilaw, and Adobong Pitaw.
"Thank you, Phil and team, for including her—and for the quiet, beautiful tribute at the end of the episode," Amado wrote.
Margarita and Grace Park Dining were featured on the show's seventh episode that premiered in June. Other chefs that were featured include Toyo Eatery's Jordy Navarra, JP Cruz, Claude Tayag, Chele Gonzalez, and Erwan Heussaff. Phil also got to chat with Wilma Doesnt and eat at her "five-star carinderia," Chicks ni Otit in Tagaytay.
Margarita passed away in February at the age of 65 due to cardiac arrest.
She ran a variety of restaurants in the country and was named Asia's Best Female Chef in 2016.
The Filipino chef grew up in Manila but eventually moved to New York City with her family when she was in college.
While she initially finished with a degree in accountancy, Margarita kickstarted her culinary career when she went to Italy in 1986 and studied under three chefs to master Italian cuisine.
Margarita started in the industry as a caterer, having created the company Cibo Di M. This eventually fostered her first Cibo restaurant in 1997, where customers enjoyed a wide range of authentic Italian dishes.
The brand now has more than 30 locations across the Philippines.
In addition to the Cibo chain, she also owned other restaurants: Lusso, Grace Park, and Alta.
