Cooking at the Rodeo

Summit High School graduate gains culinary experience at Franklin Rodeo Cafe

When the Franklin Rodeo rolls around, not everyone is excited about the bulls, horses, and the cowboys.

Some are excited about the food.

For Lindsay Trigona, a 2017 graduate of Summit High School and a resident of Spring Hill, the eighteen year old had never been to a rodeo when her culinary arts teacher, Miss. Marsha Johnson, asked for volunteers to help in the Rodeo Cafe. Trigona loved the experience: the first year, she wrapped cookies and brownies for the cafe’s sweet shop. The next three years, she was in the backroom, prepping and organizing as food went out to the serving tables.

Trigona, the daughter of Michael and Christine Trigona, became interested in culinary arts as a youngster while watching shows on the Food Network. She was part of the culinary program at Summit High School for four years and was a member of the Summit High School culinary team that won a silver medal at a national culinary arts competition in San Diego, Calif. two years ago.

Last year, at her final year to work with the Franklin Rodeo Cafe, she was presented with a $500 grant to culinary arts school.

Now, she is a student at Sullivan University in Louisville, KY and enrolled in the culinary program and loves it. She will graduate next spring and is excited about a possible internship abroad. Her goal is to someday be a sous chef in another country.

The Rodeo Cafe will open one hour prior to each night of the Franklin Rodeo May 17-18-19. The rodeo kicks off each night at 7 p.m. at the Williamson Co. Ag Expo Park in Franklin. Tickets are on sale and be purchased online at www.FranklinRodeo.com or at the gate. All seats are reserved. For more information, visit the website or call 615-RODEO-11.

Summit High School graduate Lindsay Trigona works behind the scenes at the Rodeo Café for the Franklin Rodeo. The rodeo partners with area high school culinary departments to give students first-hand experience.