Asia’s 50 Best honors Margarita Forés

Gaggan is No. 1 again; Toyo retains spot in top 50 list

- Joseph L. Garcia

TWO FILIPINO RESTAURANTS and a famous late Filipina chef were honored at this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Toyo Eatery, helmed by Jordy Navarra (and his wife May), dropped from its No. 24 spot but keeps its place in the 50 list at No. 42. It is the only Filipino entry in the 50 Best list this year.

The restaurant won the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2025, making it the Best Restaurant in the Philippines for 2025. Gallery by Chele, helmed by chefs Chele Gonzalez and Carlos Villaflor stays on the 51-100 list at No. 72.

Finally, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list honored late chef Margarita Forés with its Icon Award for 2025 (sponsored by Woodford Reserve), the first time the award was given posthumously.

While the list of the top 51 to 100 best restaurants was announced earlier this month — thus Gallery by Chele’s place was already known — the ceremony and the awarding for the Top 50 took place on March 25 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul. William Drew, director of content for 50 Best, said, “We are here of course to recognize the best restaurants and the best chefs from across the Asian continent, and in the process, to continue to shine the spotlight on this region, its cuisines, and its cultures.”

MARGARITA FORÉS

Mr. Drew went back onstage to bestow the award upon the late Ms. Forés. “Margarita’s death is a tragic loss — most of all, for her family — but also for her many, many friends and colleagues across the world, including all those in the culinary community of which she was such a vibrant part.” Ms. Forés passed away earlier this year at the age of 65 in Hong Kong. Asia’s 50 Best had named her Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016. (Related story: https://tinyurl.com/mpkwk7a5)