After significant interest following numerous media articles and many inquiries about our programs and opening timeline, we decided to clearly explain what will happen and when at this new place in the town of Pag.
The Academy will be located next to Pag’s main town beach, Prosika, inside the well-known D10’s Pizza Fantasista venue.
Who Is It For
When asked who the Academy is designed for, founder Ivan Šetka explained it is open to anyone interested in pizza. That includes enthusiasts who want to learn how to make pizza, people who want to become professional pizzaioli, and managers or owners who want to elevate how their pizzeria works.
That is why we created three structured programs.
Three Programs
- Playmaker – one-day workshops where participants work in groups and learn directly from professional pizzaioli how dough is prepared and how pizza is made.
- Captain – a serious six-day course where participants learn across a full work week: dough technique, fermentation, oven work, and the business processes inside a pizzeria. Partner pizzerias are included, and the best participants may continue working after the course.
- Manager – the most demanding track: a two-week individual course for pizzeria owners and managers, covering every segment of operations in detail.
Instructors
Mario Markušić (Franko’s Pizza & Bar, Zagreb) does not need much introduction. Five years on the 50 Top Pizza Europe list, a place among the 100 best pizzerias in the world, and many other awards speak for themselves. Mario is the person behind those recognitions, and he will transfer that knowledge and experience to participants at Pag Pizza Academy — see the Franko’s Pizza & Bar – 50 Top Pizza profile for reference.
In professional circles, ten years of experience is often considered the minimum to call someone a master of the craft. Adrian Fetahu (Split) has far more than that, even if he would never say it himself. He has delivered many projects quietly from the background, co-authored the first D10’s menu, and was among the first instructors mentoring our team when we were just starting.
Although the youngest by age, Nikša Čulić (Pizzeria 14, Zagreb) brings a strong track record from top pizzerias. Used to working under pressure, always positive, he joins the instructor team with great energy. His pizza journey started at Basta (Split), and he upgraded his skills and experience at Franko’s (Zagreb).
Special Guest Supervisors
As special instructors and supervisors ensuring everything follows the highest professional standards, two globally recognized names are joining the Academy.
Jędrzej Lewandowski – the driving force and owner of the famous Polish pizzeria Zielona Górka, present for years on the 50 Top Pizza Europe and World lists. AVPN named it the best pizzeria in the world for 2024.
Cristiano de Rinaldi – a native Neapolitan and one of the most promising experts in traditional Neapolitan pizza. His family pizzeria Casa de Rinaldi was named best in the world by AVPN in 2022, appears regularly on the 50 Top Pizza Italia list, and Cristiano himself won 1st place at the Olympics of authentic Neapolitan pizza.
More Than Certificates
The Academy story is broader than it looks at first. It includes a network of partner pizzerias, where the best participants will have the opportunity to start working immediately after completing their program.
The goal is not only to run dough courses and issue certificates, but to prepare participants for what truly awaits them in professional kitchens. That means understanding processes and arriving as a real reinforcement to the team they join. That is why cooperation with partner pizzerias has been arranged: participants who show capacity, interest, and talent will receive continued guidance and support for their professional path even after graduation.
First Open Workshop: March 14
The first demonstration and free workshop for pizza enthusiasts, curious visitors, our local community, and anyone who happens to be in Pag will take place on Saturday, March 14, from 12:00 to 19:00 at Prosika 51a.
Whenever your schedule allows during those hours, feel free to stop by D10. You will be able to talk to our instructors, ask anything you want, stretch dough, and bake pizza.
When Do Programs Start
The first program cycles for enrolled participants are planned for mid-April, after Easter.
Applications for the Playmaker, Captain, and Manager programs will be available via the D10 website, with details, dates, and sign-up instructions published there.
