May 21, 2026 Cowboy Chef's Table Series

Teresa Parrott’s passion for cooking began at an early age, but her deep connection to Italian culinary traditions became the defining thread of her journey. Raised in a family where making fresh pasta for holidays was a cherished ritual, she learned early that the kitchen was a place of both craftsmanship and connection. This foundation led her to pursue formal study in Italy at the University of Perugia, where she immersed herself in the language and culture. During her time abroad, she lived with a family in Milan and trained directly with an Italian home cook, mastering traditional recipes and techniques passed down through generations. These experiences grounded her understanding of regional Italian cuisine in authenticity and practice, shaping her approach to cooking as both an art and a cultural expression.

Teresa continued to build on this expertise throughout her career, integrating Italian techniques and philosophy into her broader culinary training at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. Her commitment to Italian cuisine culminated in a recent six-week immersion in Calabria, where she studied with a local nonna, worked alongside farmers, explored regional ingredients through foraging, and learned directly from hunters about traditional foodways. This hands-on experience deepened her knowledge of Southern Italian cooking and reinforced her dedication to authenticity. As the founder of Cozy Cuisine, Teresa draws heavily on these influences, crafting menus that reflect the diversity and richness of Italian regional cuisine while blending them with other global inspirations. Her work continues to honor the traditions she has studied extensively, bringing an elevated, deeply personal interpretation of Italian cooking to each client experience.