Terrible news.

The award-winning chef Margarita Forés was found unresponsive in a Hong Kong hotel room after she had failed to turn up for a scheduled lunch, the Daily Mail reports.

Her sad death was confirmed by her son Amado who wrote on social media: "Dear Friends and Family, It is with a heavy heart that I share the sudden passing of my Mom, Margarita A. Forés. 

"Our family is mourning this unexpected loss, and we kindly ask for your prayers during this time. We will be able to share more in due time. With gratitude Amado."

Forés had previously been named Asia's Best Female Chef in 2016 after switching from her training as a public accountant for the life of a chef.

The chef opened her first restaurant in 1997, called Cibo, which now serves Italian food in over 20 locations across the Philippines.

A recent Instagram post showed the famous cook with fellow chef Gordon Ramsay as well as on the front cover of Tatler Asia magazine.

This interview with the magazine was only printed last week, in which Forés spoke about her impending retirement.

She said: "At 65, I have realized I have worked so hard already. So, what I really want to do is wind down a little bit.

First, however, she wanted to realise a lifelong dream of opening a "no frills" restaurant named after herself, Margarita.

The celebrity chef started her studies in America, temporarily returning to the Philippines, before heading to New York where she is said to have rubbed shoulders with the likes of John F. Kennedy Jr, according to Pep.

She would then master her craft after spending some time in Italy.

It is it not known which hotel Forés was staying in when she was found dead.