Margarita A. Forés will always be remembered for leaving a lasting impact on signature Filipino cuisine and hospitality. Her passing on February 11 was deeply felt, not only by those who knew her personally, but also by all who had the privilege of tasting her food. The following is a speech Margarita was set to deliver at a forum honoring women at Samsung Hall, SM Aura on March 8, International Women’s Day. I remember a moment in September 1986 as though it was yesterday. I was 27 years old, standing outside the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence with a suitcase in hand, feeling the crisp autumn air and wondering what lay ahead. I had traveled halfway across the world, unsure if I had the courage or skill to take on what I’d set out to do. At that time, I didn’t realize that stepping into the unknown was..
