The LTB Philippines Chefs Association handed out the inaugural Culinary Icon Award to Via Mare’s Glenda Barretto. The ceremony was held during the Madrid Fusion Manila Congress. Mrs. Barretto's unparalleled contribution to the Philippine culinary industry was presented via video. Her career spans over four decades of being a trendsetter, of proudly promoting local cuisine, of impressing dignitaries, and of inspiring countless lives.

(L-R) The youthful restaurateur, Brooke Shields and mother Teri, entertainment mogul Shao Yifu, better known as Sir Run Run Shaw and Franco Nero during the Manila International Film Festival

Her experience with King Carlos and Queen Sofia seems to be one of the most nerve-wracking moments for her. After she finished all preparations for the feast, the royal couple invited her to join them for the meal. "Due to protocol, everyone waited for the king to start. However, he did not move an inch! That scared me... It turns out, he was juts admiring the (pumpkin soup) bowl - the pumpkin itself was used as a container."

One of her fondest memories included encounters with Carlos P. Romulo, once the president of the United Nations General Assembly, Ambassador of the Philippines to the United States and Minister of Foreign Affairs, whose handwritten thank-you letters sum up the experience and joy of working with and being served by Glenda Barretto: “You are the life of Via Mare.”

Glenda grew up eating good food cooked by her mother, father, and aunts in Samar. Because she was interested, she learned to cook. Her first business, though, was a flower shop that must have taught her the artistry of arrangement. Her husband urged her to open a restaurant, and the rest is history.

On September 5, 1975, the first branch of Via Mare opened its doors on the second floor of Acacia Building. Old-timers will remember the time when Greenbelt was just a park with an aviary and a few buildings surrounding it. Via Mare was ground-breaking in that it dared to be a Filipino fine-dining restaurant alongside local casual dining restaurants and fast-food outlets.

Veteran restaurateur Glenda Barretto is the one in charge of serving food to beauty queens and guests during the 65th Miss Universe Governor's Ball at the SMX Convention Center. She was the same caterer of the 43rd Miss Universe pageant held in 1994 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Glenda Barretto was a judge at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or competition, a culinary contest created by the legendary French chef Paul Bocuse held in Lyon, France.

GRB recalls with fondness the visits of various dignitaries and celebrities, including American President Gerald Ford, all made possible by then First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, who introduced her to this glittery world.