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Amado Forés Continues Chef Margarita's Legacy, Leads the Way at Cibo
Margarita's well-loved restaurants will now run under his watch.
Published on Jul 10, 2025
(SPOT.ph) Chef Margarita Forés continues to be loved and missed by many, and now her son Amado Forés is making sure her legacy lives on in her restaurants and other ventures. The restaurateur behind AF Hospitality announced that he's taking in Lusso, Grace Park, and Margarita Florals—brands his mother built and nurtured—under his restaurant group, and that he will also be leading the pack at Cibo as its new CEO.
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Amado and Margarita Forés. Photo courtesy of AF Hospitality.
What's to come at the restaurants of AF Hospitality and Cibo
"Many of you knew my mom, Margarita Forés, as a force—in the kitchen, in business, in life," Amado said in a heartfelt speech during the event. "Her mission was simple: to make the world more beautiful and delicious for others, and she did it best through food." Looking to uphold the massive impact Margarita has left, Amado now assumes the role of guiding her existing concepts through different new paths.
As mentioned, Lusso, Grace Park, and Margarita Florals will now be under AF Hospitality, Amado Forés’ restaurant group that's also behind such successful concepts as a mano, Ramen Ron, and Steak & Frice.
Amado’s wife Carmela Fortuna Forés—the two got married in May—will be joining AF Hospitality as Managing Director, bringing with her close to a decade of experience in retail and marketing. Come September this year, Amado and Carmela will be flying to Naples to attend the awarding ceremony of 50 Top Pizza World, which celebrates the best pizza slices around the globe. (Just last March, a mano landed in the 9th position of the Asia-Pacific list!)
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Amado and Carmela, who now joins AF Hospitality as Managing Director. Photo courtesy of AF Hospitality.
More news: Lusso will be expanding its original Greenbelt 5 location (which has been around for 16 years!). And AF Hospitality's original brands, Ramen Ron and Steak & Frice, mavens in the art of ramen and premium meats respectively, will be opening new branches sometime in 2026.
Sadly, AF Hospitality will no longer push through with Margarita, the previously announced signature restaurant of Chef Margarita Forés. “This was not a decision we made lightly. It comes from a place of deep responsibility and even deeper love,” said Amado. Still, he explained, this opens "exciting opportunities to bring her vision in more meaningful and creative ways.”
From the press lunch held at Lusso, The Podium: Barquillos with Chive Mousse Duetto; Insalata di Straccetti di Manzo; Linguine alle Vongole con Bottarga di Muggine; Truffle Honey-Mustard Chicken Lolliballs; Lusso Foie Gras Burger Sliders. Photos by Patricia Baes
Amado will also be heading Cibo, serving as President and CEO of the well-loved Italian restaurant chain (named one of the world's best for artisan pizza) established by Margarita in 1997. Note that Cibo operates independently from AF, with its own leadership team.
"[This new role] carries both deep meaning and great responsibility," Amado said of his new title. "It’s an honor to continue what my mom started and to help lead the brand she built."
Now under Cibo is Margarita Signature Caterer, Chef Margarita’s catering brand that has served the likes of His Royal Highness Prince Andrew; former U.S. President Barack Obama; and Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
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The Forés family and team Cibo: Veana Forés, Jose Forés, Alfonso Forés, Amado Forés, Ms. Bledes Forés Legarda, Carmela Fortuna Forés, Mercedes Forés, Mr. Oye Forés, Jorge Mendez, Edgar Allan Caper, Jo Forés. Photo courtesy of AF Hospitality.
Within Cibo, Chef Jorge Mendez (also of Modan and Some Thai) retains his Executive Chef title which he's held for two years. Mendez now also serves as the brand’s Director of Research & Development. With that, Makanai, his Japanese concept for Cibo, is set to open this August.
Edgar Allan Caper, a long-time Cibo executive and former COO, is now Managing Director. Margarita's sister Bledes Forés Legarda remains the brand’s Managing Director while brother Oye Forés remains Executive Vice President. Mercedes Forés, who worked as the brand’s Marketing and R&D Director, now takes on the role of Chief Operating Officer.
"As we bring all these beloved brands together, you can expect new and exciting things, but at the heart of every decision will be one constant: my mom’s legacy," says Amado. "That will never be compromised."
For Trish, food is as much a source of pleasure and fuel as it is an outlet for creativity; a medium by which stories can be passed on; and a way to connect with others.
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