A chef in the Philippines who is considered an ambassador of both Italian and Filipino cuisines and who has served heads of state like US president Barack Obama and the king and queen of Spain has been named Asia's best female chef for 2016.
Restaurateur Margarita Forés is the fourth female chef to be bestowed with the award by organisers of Asia's 50 Best Restaurant Awards, a title that honours exceptional chefs "whose culinary skills, entrepreneurial spirit and artistry" have earned them the respect of their critics and peers.