This spring, the island of Pag will become home to Croatia’s first pizza academy. Under the name D10’s Pizza Academy Pag, the project aims to create a permanent center for training pizza enthusiasts, professional pizzaioli, and pizzeria managers — while also giving Pag a new reason to be visited beyond the summer season.
From Beach Pizzeria to Pizza Academy
The academy builds on the success of D10’s Pizza Fantasista, opened in the summer of 2025 on Prosika beach in Pag. The pizzeria quickly became known not only for its ruota di carro Neapolitan pizzas, but also for its unique beachfront location, football-inspired concept, and international team.
In September 2025, the team hosted the international Mainardi & APN Pizza Cup Pag, where local pizzaioli reached podium positions in both categories — confirming Pag’s growing reputation on the European pizza map and making the academy a natural next step.
Why the Academy Was Created
The idea behind the academy is both educational and strategic. On one side, it addresses one of the biggest challenges of the pizza industry in Croatia and beyond — the shortage of highly trained, reliable professionals. On the other, it positions Pag as a destination for learning, not just tourism.
Through structured programs, the academy aims to train complete, work-ready pizzaioli and support their careers through direct cooperation with partner pizzerias across the region and Europe.
Training, Careers, and Access
Professional training programs are developed together with partner pizzerias, including co-funding models that allow talented candidates to access education even if they cannot afford it themselves — while guaranteeing them employment after graduation.
This approach connects education directly with real market needs and creates a sustainable pipeline of talent for the hospitality industry.
Partners and Supporters
Among the first supporters of the project are the City of Pag, premium Italian product distributor Mia Familia, Croatia’s leading catering company Catering Kvatrić, Poland’s Zielona Górka from the 50 Top Pizza list, Franko’s Pizza & Bar, and Zagreb’s Pizzeria 14.
Confirmed Instructors
The first confirmed instructors include Mario Markušić from Franko’s in Zagreb, experienced Split-based pizzaiolo Adrian Fetahu, Nikša Čulić from Pizzeria 14, and as a special guest Jędrzej Lewandowski, owner of Zielona Górka — named the world’s best pizzeria by AVPN in 2024.
First International Presentation
The academy will be officially presented on January 22–23 in Warsaw, where the pizza showroom Jak u Mammy will be transformed into a temporary D10’s Pag space to inspire young pizza enthusiasts to come to Croatia for training and work.
Warsaw Presentation — Agenda
- Location: Jak u Mammy pizza showroom, Warsaw
- Dates: January 22–23, 2026
- Format: Workshops, tastings, talks, and official academy presentation
- Thursday, January 22
- 12:00–14:00 Dough Talks — dough-making workshop with free coffee (supported by Solana Pag)
- 15:00–16:00 Pag cheese story and tasting, including Franko’s Island 14 and D10’s Dalma pizzas (supported by Sirana Pag)
- 17:00–19:00 D10’s story about pizza and football — brand story, NK Pag partnership, football beer label, short quiz, awards, free beer and pizza tasting
- Friday, January 23
- 12:00–14:00 Ruota di Carro basics workshop
- 15:00–17:00 D10’s football-inspired menu presentation with free pizza tasting (supported by Mia Familia)
- 17:00–19:00 D10’s Pizza Academy Pag — official concept presentation, partner pizzerias and potential employers (Franko’s Pizza & Bar, Pizzeria 14), informal pizza talks with future students and free NK Pag beer
