Amado Forés, founder of AF Hospitality (AFH) which includes a mano, Ramen Ron, and Steak & Frice, announced the inclusion of Lusso, Grace Park, and Margarita Florals under his portfolio of brands.
He now also leads CIBO, the beloved Italian casual dining brand founded by his mother, Margarita, in 1997.
CIBO will continue to operate with its established leadership team and will now manage Margarita Signature Caterer, ensuring the same attention to quality and detail that defined the brand.
The transition honors the legacy of celebrated chef, entrepreneur, and cultural tastemaker Margarita Forés while positioning the group for a dynamic future in the Philippine culinary landscape.
“This has been a time of deep reflection, and I carry with me not only grief, but also the profound honor of continuing what she built,” said Amado during an intimate gathering at Lusso’s Podium branch.
In a move that strengthens the company’s long-term vision, Amado’s wife, Carmela, joins AF Hospitality as Managing Director. With nearly a decade of experience in retail and marketing, Carmela brings fresh perspective and operational excellence to the company.
Key leadership updates at CIBO include:
• Amado is now the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CIBO.
• Chef Jorge Mendez remains as the Executive Chef, a role he’s held for two years. In addition, he will be serving as the Director of Research & Development. As a close collaborator of Chef Margarita for over a decade, he brings a deep understanding of her vision, shaped in part by her mentorship.
• Edgar Allan Caper, a long-time executive of the brand and former Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed Managing Director.
• Bledes Forés Legarda and Oye Forés are continuing their roles as Managing Director and Executive Vice President, respectively
• Mercedes Forés, having worked as CIBO’s Marketing and R&D Director, will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer, succeeding Caper.
AF Hospitality also announced it will no longer pursue the previously announced restaurant concept Margarita at the Ayala Triangle.
“This opens up exciting opportunities to bring her vision in more meaningful and creative ways,” Amado explained. “This was not a decision we made lightly. It comes from a place of deep responsibility and even deeper love.”
The growth of AF Hospitality represents both a tribute and a transformation rooted in the excellence established by Margarita and the company’s commitment to preserving her culinary heritage while pursuing innovation across its portfolio.
In September, Amado and Carmela will fly to Naples to attend the World’s 50 Top Pizza Awards. This after a mano ranked 9th in the Asia-Pacific Region in March, which guarantees them a spot as one of the World’s Top Pizzerias.
Ramen Ron and Steak & Frice are set to open their third and second locations, respectively, sometime in 2026.
Grace Park, known for offering Chef Margarita’s heirloom recipes and soulful home-cooking, recently drew global attention with its feature on the Netflix show “Somebody Feed Phil.” As it continues to champion Filipino cuisine, guests can look forward to exciting developments from the brand soon.
Lusso’s Greenbelt 5 location will soon expand to welcome more guests.
Margarita Florals is set to launch a new website soon to cater to any and all life events.
This year, CIBO, which is celebrating its 28th anniversary, continues to expand outside of Metro Manila and will open new locations in Iloilo, La Union, and Baguio City.
CIBO’s new Japanese concept, Makanai, created by Chef Jorge, is also set to open next month.
