Photo: Roland Unger / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Egyptian lentil soup, shown for illustration.
In Esna, southern Egypt, recipes passed down by mothers and grandmothers are opening a new door. Through Esna Kitchen, local women are sharing their food heritage with visitors while developing skills in hospitality.
From family tables to welcoming visitors
The initiative began with a cooking competition in 2023. Thirty-nine women brought traditional recipes, helping uncover knowledge that had often remained inside family homes.
A group then trained with a professional chef to document ingredients, refine preparation and develop food safety and presentation skills. A heritage house became the project’s home, welcoming visitors from October 2024.
Keeping more than recipes alive
According to a September 2026 report in Al-Masry Al-Youm, the project preserves the stories behind the dishes while creating opportunities for women to work in tourism.
Its ambition is to turn local knowledge into lasting economic value. The report does not provide income figures, but describes a practical approach to connecting culinary heritage with employment.
For MyHappyAfrica, this is a hopeful story: skills passed between generations finding a wider audience, with the women who carry that knowledge at its heart.
Source: Al-Masry Al-Youm, 5 September 2026.
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