Margarita Forés: 'Women hold the power to nurture and nourish.'

Good afternoon, everyone. I remember a moment in September 1986 as though it was yesterday.

- MARGARITA FORES

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 an act of empowerment in itself—a declaration that I was willing to pursue my passion, even without knowing where it would lead me.

My time in Italy wasn't just about learning how to cook; it was about discovering my strength. I learned from three incredible women in Florence, Rome, and Milan. These women taught me not just recipes but how to connect with food deeply and intuitively. They embodied the quiet power of women who preserve traditions and shape legacies, even if their work often goes unrecognized.

When I returned to Manila, I brought back more than recipes—I returned with a sense of purpose and a belief in the transformative power of food.