Margarita “Margie” Lorenzana Manzke, the renowned pastry chef behind Los Angeles-based Republique Café + Bakery, is basking in the glory of her recent triumph: winning her first James Beard award, an accolade she has been vying for seven times.
With this remarkable achievement under her belt, the Filipina culinary maestro is now setting her sights even higher, as she sets out to pursue a second Michelin star for the esteemed restaurant she operates alongside her husband, Chef Walter Manzke.
Margie’s relentless pursuit of perfection has garnered her the respect and admiration of both peers and patrons alike.
The James Beard award, often dubbed the “Oscars of the food world,” serves as a testament to her extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication to her craft.
“Now, we’re really focusing on trying to get a second Michelin star which would be really, really big for us if we do. Kung makuha namin yun, yun na siguro ang pinaka-peak [ng career ko]. Yun ang minimithi namin ngayon,” she said in an interview with ANC.
“I think if you’re really into what you’re doing and you love what you do, you don’t need a lot of motivation because you love doing it,” she added.
