Robinson and her late husband Raymond co-founded Cozy Corner, and she credited Raymond as being the driving force behind the eatery's success.
Day 22 of Black History Month
The long-running matriarch of the family-run Cozy Corner restaurant in North Memphis, Desiree Robinson, has been admitted as the first Black woman to the Barbecue Hall of Fame. Being the first surviving Black person to receive the honor—the other three entrants were dead—Robinson also made history, according to Fox13.
“I wish I could describe it to you,” Robinson said. “You just can’t imagine how good it makes me feel. I’m blessed because I know it’s all about how it got started and maintained.”
Robinson and her late husband Raymond co-founded Cozy Corner, and she credited Raymond as being the driving force behind the eatery’s success.
“My husband was an awesome cook, and I’m good, but not nearly as good as he was,” Robinson said. “I’m telling you it blew my mind. It started with him. He built it for us. He never met a person that didn’t fall in love with him. He was the most likeable person I have ever met in my life. And, he had the personality. Oh my goodness, everybody loved him. People just liked him and he liked people,” she added.
The pair first began for business in 1977, and after Raymond passed away in 2001, Robinson took over, eventually becoming the pitmaster of Cozy Corner in 2020. The entire family, including the kids, helps operate the restaurant, which has been in business for four generations. According to Robinson, the kids take on all age-appropriate responsibilities. Every customer who enters Cozy Corner’s doors is greeted as has always been the habit.
“If you work there, you better greet whoever walks through that door,” Robinson said .“Because I want them to know that they are at home. I want them to know that they are welcomed and I want them to know that I want them to come back. So they’re going to eat good and they’re going to be treated right,” she added.
(Photo: The Memphian)
Sources claim that Cozy Corner is one of Memphis’ top 10 restaurants that serve barbecue. – Steve Sijenyi
LIT604.com Is celebrating Black history month by publishing Positive news on Black people across Canada and United States throughout the month of February. Lit604 Founder Steve-Safari Sijenyi is producing and releasing a YouTube video everyday at 7pm PT that showcases Black people who embodied the spirit of Black Excellence, black-led Led Enterprises, Black-run organizations, Black allies and Pro-Black Organizations and Leaders from the public and private sector.
