Siwa is a desert oasis in the heart of Egypt’s Great Sand Sea, just 30km east of the Libyan border. Traditionally constructed of sand, salt and mud, many of the town’s buildings literally melted away in the torrential rains of 1926, leaving behind eerily beautiful ruins amidst this lush enclave in the middle of nowhere. The buildings were reconstructed with more modern day materials, but some of the original town structures remain, and can be explored with the aid of helpful local guides.
Chef Katianna Hong cooking over the hearth at The Charter Oak, where she is executive chef.
Photo by Kelly Puleio/Courtesy of The Charter Oak
Chefs Christopher Kostow, Greg Denton, and Bonnie Morales were among those who cooked during a recent Guest Chef Potluck event at The Charter Oak.
Photo by Matt Morris/Courtesy of The Charter Oak
Dinner service at The Charter Oak in St. Helena, California
Photo by Kelly Puleio/Courtesy of The Charter Oak
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Siwa Architecture
Siwa is a desert oasis in the heart of Egypt’s Great Sand Sea, just 30km east of the Libyan border. Traditionally constructed of sand, salt and mud, many of the town’s buildings literally melted away in the torrential rains of 1926, leaving behind eerily beautiful ruins amidst this lush enclave in the middle of nowhere. The buildings were reconstructed with more modern day materials, but some of the original town structures remain, and can be explored with the aid of helpful local guides.
