At 85 years old, Desiree Robinson continues stoking fires as the matriarch of the renowned soul food eatery Cozy Corner in Memphis, Tennessee.
In 2020, she earned a place in barbecue history as the first woman ever inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame.
Carrying On A Cherished Legacy
Robinson co-founded Cozy Corner in 1977 with her late husband Raymond, whose masterful southern cooking originally put the restaurant on the map.
Since his passing in 2001, Robinson has honorably upheld the establishment’s legacy as its devoted owner and pitmaster.
A Family Tradition Anchored In Community
Now four generations strong, Robinson’s entire family keeps tradition thriving at Cozy Corner. She stresses greeting every patron to maintain the welcoming spirit, just as her affable husband did.
Their personable hospitality built local fame drawing celebrities and loyal regulars.
An Honor For Lasting Dedication
While crediting her husband’s unmatched talent, Robinson’s own excellence carrying on his life’s passion over 20 years finally received deserved recognition through her trailblazing Hall of Fame achievement.
Still Serving With A Smile
Well into her ninth decade, Robinson joyfully puts in long hours to perpetuate the Cozy Corner ideals she and her husband cultivated. She feels blessed to sustain culinary connections spanning over four decades in the community they’ve always called home.
With his savory secret recipes and welcoming spirit attracting lines out the door, Raymond mastered 4-star fare decades before Cozy Corner’s recent James Beard honors.
But when widowhood called his wife to the pit in 2001, she embraced the ladle – determined their community’s beloved taste of heritage would endure through family bonds.
And now 45 years since the Robinson’s original Mason venture, that wife and mother marks milestones still masked by grease and spice-stained aprons.
For just as in 1977, you can find Miss Desiree’s warm grin greeting patrons like old friends at the counter. Age may have slowed the hustle in her step, but not dulled the joyful spark in her eyes.
