Manila (CNN Philippines Life) — CNN’s “Culinary Journeys” kicks off its second season today with none other than Asia’s Best Female Chef, Margarita Forés. In it, she takes us through her formative years as a young chef, starting with the market, where she first started her love affair with food, to her hometown in Negros, where she showcases her culinary skills — encompassing three decades of experience under her belt (or tall white hat), having served three Philippine presidents, as well as two U.S. presidents, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

In time for this momentous television event, we talked to Forés about the advantages of being a woman in the kitchen (with bangles to boot), shifts in the food industry, and a few tricks on how to become an A+ chef.

Watch the video below: