Cibo Turns 28 with a Tribute to Chef Margarita Forés
People needn’t have to wait long for good pasta or pizza. That was reportedly one of the dictums of globally renowned Filipino chef Margarita “Gaita” Forés.
Before she sadly passed away in February this year, Forés had not only made a name for herself but for the range of culinary brands she established—restaurants that discriminating diners have been flocking to for decades. One of them is Italian casual dining marque, Cibo.
Anyone craving for pasta, pizza, and Forés’ compelling versions of Italian offerings can get it when they want it with Cibo, which recently celebrated its 28th year in the industry by veritably looking back at its roots while reimagining classic Italian dishes.
Nduja Pizza
Said to be in true Cibo fashion, new limited-edition dishes and pastries will be part of the commemoration. Cibo Executive Chef Jorge Mendez is introducing two dishes inspired by “nduja” (pronounced “en-doo-ya”), a spicy, spreadable pork sausage from the Calabria region of Italy. These are the Tubettoni alla Nduja, a creamy pasta dish with Nduja sausage, burrata, tomato tsukemono, and stewed tomatoes, and the Nduja Pizza that combines tomato sauce, mozzarella, burrata, and Nduja sausage.
Tubettoni alla Nduja
New dessert offerings feature Cibo’s interpretation of Filipino favorites: the Turon Bomboloni filled with banana cream custard and topped with caramelized banana and the Ube Maritozzo that is made “extra decadent” with ube, custard, caramelized coconut, and cream. Guests can enjoy these treats until September 30, along with a special anniversary price promo of P28 for all Cibo signature iced tea choices.
Ube Maritozzo
On its actual anniversary date on August 22, dine-in clients with a minimum single-receipt purchase of P1,500 can enjoy a selection of bestsellers for only P28. Choices include the Tagliata di Manzo, Pizza Prosciutto Crudo, Agnello Stufato, Spinach Dip, and Tiramisu. Note that this offer cannot be combined with other promotions, discounts, and gift certificates.
Cibo Managing Director Edgar Allan Caper
“Whether you’ve been with us from Day One or have just stepped into our doors for the first time, there’s always something waiting for you at your favorite Cibo,” company managing director Edgar Allan Caper told guests at the kickoff get-together for the anniversary celebration, held at Cibo Greenbelt 5. “At the heart of this year's culinary lineup is Chef Jorge Mendez, our executive chef, who worked closely with Margarita for years. He continues to lead our kitchen with the same excellence, discipline, and love for flavors she instilled in all of us. We are not only big on food, but on heart, consistency, and family. (Margarita’s) vision changed the way we eat Italian in the Philippines.”
The brand also announced a 28-percent discount off the total bill for delivery orders coursed through the official Cibo website or hotline, with a minimum purchase of P2,000 and a maximum of P3,000 per transaction.
ALSO READ
Amado Forés Announces Major Updates for AF Hospitality and Cibo
Nostalgia-inspired
In a throwback move, Cibo also relaunched its Bimbi program for young diners. The interactive coloring placemats, crayons, and the vegetable-inspired “Cibot” cartoon characters are now back in all branches. Registration for Club Bimbi membership cards for children aged 12 and below is also open, granting access to exclusive perks and benefits such as the “Bimbi, You Eat Free” where a child can enjoy a complimentary meal from the Bimbi menu for every P2,000 minimum dine-in transaction of accompanying adults.
“Even as we've grown and explored new things this year, we wanted to tap into a special blend of nostalgia and fresh energy, so we dug through our archives and brought back some something some of you might remember,” Cibo Chief Operating Officer Mercedes Forés said during the event. “When we were thinking about what our theme was for this year's anniversary, one line kept coming up: ‘Still Al Dente, Always Cibo.’ It’s a phrase that we feel says a lot about who we are. Like our pasta, we’ve stayed firm, true to our flavors, our values, and our identity.” The executive also announced that the company is launching an animated version of its 2015 comic book series, Cibots, to encourage healthy eating to kids. Cibo connected with the original illustrators of the comics to continue the story.
"Always CIBO" raffle prizes
A new loyalty program also awaits Cibo patrons with the upgraded Lealtà program that gives access to birthday treats, discounts, and access to curated dine-in, take-out, delivery, and retail channels experiences. Member diners will be eligible for generous discounts based on the day of their visit: 30 percent off on Mondays and Tuesdays, 20 percent off on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 10 percent off from Friday to Sunday for a minimum, single-receipt spend of P2,000. Lealtà members are also entitled to exclusive invites to private events, exclusively monthly offers, and a 10-percent discount on Alimentari products and branded merchandise, with savings capped at P2,500 per transaction, among others. Bimbi members are automatically moved to the Lealtà program once they turn 13 years old.
Headlining the anniversary celebration is the Always Cibo Raffle Promo, where diners can win prizes such as a Smeg fridge or coffee machine, a brand-new Vespa, and more. Every P2,800 single-receipt purchase gives a customer one raffle entry.
Cibo President and Chief Executive Officer Amado Forés
Cibo President and Chief Executive Officer Amado Forés paid tribute to his mother and expressed gratitude to Cibo diners. “I know that if my mom were here with us right now, she’d be so happy and so proud and quite frankly, overwhelmed seeing so much love from the Cibo community,” he said. “I feel incredibly honored to carry her legacy forward—not alone—but with an amazing team behind me that believes in what (she) started.”
Before a series of videos of Margarita were shown, Cibo Managing Director Bledes Forés Legarda told guests that her sister is remembered as “not only the chef and the visionary that she was, but the leader, the friend, the aunt, the sister, the mother, our Mama Amore, the passionate spirit. Margarita always said, pasta waits for no one. I think that saying guided her in life as well. It gave her the drive, excitement and the determination when she built Cibo.
Cibo managing director Bledes Fores Legarda
“Margarita couldn’t and didn’t wait for anyone. She built Cibo from the ground up with so much heart, soul and purpose. It was her brainchild, her passion project, her dream and a big part of the legacy she poured her heart into every detail, from the food to the design of the interiors to her team and, most especially, to the best service for our guests.”
The beloved restaurateur then appeared on screen. “Not only (is) our tomato sauce just flavorful but not sweet,” Gaita had said on the beginnings of Cibo. “Our pasta was also al dente. (To customers who did not like it), I (really) stood my ground. (I really) did not compromise.
“My life and my body of work has always been about making life and living more beautiful and delicious for others,” she shared. “Cibo is actually the brand that was the first one that did this, and everything else that I've done through the years also espouses the same advocacy.”
