Cozy Corner’s matriarch nominated to enter the Barbecue Hall of Fame
On Thursday, Desiree Robinson, the matriarch behind Cozy Corner, was named one of nine semi-finalists for The American Royal Barbecue Hall of Fame. Cozy Corner, a Memphis barbecue institution with four generations of the Robinson family cooking, is known for its ribs with a dark mahogany bark and Cornish game hens.
Each year, the Barbecue Hall of Fame inducts three individuals who have impacted the world of barbecue.
For a full calendar year, nominations for this honor are sent in from individuals around the world.
This year, there were more than 60 individuals included in the nomination process.
At the close of the nomination period, each individual nominated is reviewed by the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, and the list is narrowed to the top nine.
The nine semi-finalists are then reviewed and voted on by Hall of Fame voting members. Voting members include the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee and all living Hall of Fame inductees. The three 2020 Hall of Fame inductees will be announced May 27. The Barbecue Hall of Fame induction ceremony and events will take place during the 41st American Royal World Series of Barbecue planned for Sept. 1820 at the Kansas Speedway.
The list of semi-finalists from this year’s nominees includes pitmasters from across the country: William (Bill) Arnold, Joe Don Davidson, Aaron Franklin, Meathead Goldwyn, John Markus, Rodney Scott, Darren Warth and Lee Ann Whippen.
The American Royal Association in Kansas City officially became the home of the Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.