A meeting that celebrates the culture of food
There’s an invisible thread connecting Italy and the Philippines — the thread of authentic cuisine, made of emotion, culture, and respect for ingredients.
It’s the same thread that brought the renowned Filipino chef Margarita Forés, named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016, to visit BONI SpA, to discover the world of Parmigiano Reggiano and its exceptional production chain.
The visit was part of the international TV series “My Italy with Margarita”, a journey in search of Italy’s finest food traditions — from vineyard-covered hills to artisan workshops, and to the dairies where the world’s most iconic cheeses are born.
Among those stops, BONI SpA was a must — a leading company in the production and aging of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, a true symbol of Emilia’s dairy-making heritage.
A journey into the heart of Parmigiano Reggiano
Welcomed by the BONI team, Margarita Forés retraced all stages of Parmigiano Reggiano production: from the processing of fresh milk sourced from the company’s own farms, to salting and the long aging process inside BONI’s maturation warehouses.
Guided by the dairy’s experts, she observed firsthand the precision, care, and passion that make this cheese a globally recognized excellence.
During her visit, Forés was deeply moved by the human value behind every phase of production — the mastery of the cheesemakers, the respect for natural rhythms, and the constant pursuit of quality.
It was an encounter between two culinary cultures, distant yet united by the same philosophy: the belief that true cuisine is always born from authentic ingredients and skilled hands.
Italian excellence through international eyes
Known for bringing Italian cuisine to the Philippines through her restaurant chain Cibo, and for her profound connection with Italian culinary culture, Margarita Forés served as a symbolic bridge between two worlds.
Her keen and passionate perspective perfectly captured what has always defined BONI SpA: the ability to blend tradition and innovation while preserving artisanal quality, even at scale.
The visit of Margarita Forés was a moment of great pride for BONI — a heartfelt recognition of the daily commitment of those who, for over a century, have carried forward the complete Parmigiano Reggiano PDO supply chain with dedication and passion.
Her sensitivity and international vision added even more value to a product that stands as a true ambassador of Made in Italy around the world.
[February 2025] Sadly, Chef Margarita Forés passed away in February 2025. One of the most influential figures in contemporary Asian cuisine, she used her passion and international vision to promote Italian gastronomy across the world, leaving behind a lasting legacy of authenticity and heart.
