Oxford News

FRANKLIN — Casey Cole must be flying high by now.

The 20-year-old pizza chef at Pisanello's is headed for Naples, Italy, to compete in the World Championship of Pizza Makers with the U.S. Pizza Team.

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Casey Cole throws pizza dough at Pisanello's Pizza in Franklin earlier this spring. Cole is competing in Italy in the world pizza dough spinning contest.Click to enlarge

Casey Cole throws a large pizza crust at Pisanello's Pizza in Franklin. He estimated that the crust was 'only' 25 inches wide.Click to enlarge

"This is all new for me," Cole said before catching a plane.

Flying halfway around the world may be new to Cole, but he's used to spinning pizza dough competitively.

Cole won gold at the New York

Pizza Show in March, securing him his spot on the U.S. Pizza Team.

Since winning the acrobatic pizza spinning competition in New York, Cole has appeared with the team on "The Early Show" on CBS.

Next week he will compete in several competitions with the team in Naples.

Cole says he's not nervous about the World Championship, just the flight across the Atlantic.

"I know I can toss pizza dough," Cole said. "Flying for 12 hours. That's crazy."

Cole also will get to do some sightseeing and hopes to pick up some recipe ideas.

"I can't wait to bring back what I learn," he said.

Pisanello's owner Tom Combs said he's excited for his young chef.

Combs encouraged Cole to take up dough spinning after he saw him creatively spinning in the window of the Main Street restaurant.

"I'm totally jealous of that kid," Combs said. "If it wasn't my 30th wedding anniversary I'd be going with him."

The championship is Monday and Tuesday. Cole will return to Franklin on May 25.