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Virtual Pizza Academy Announces LloydPans as Signature Sponsor for 2026

Virtual Pizza Academy (VPA) is proud to announce LloydPans as a Signature Sponsor for 2026, marking a major partnership between two leaders in pizza education and professional pizza equipment.

LloydPans is widely recognized as the gold standard in pizza pan manufacturing, trusted by independent operators, pizzerias, and serious home pizza makers around the world. As a Signature Sponsor, LloydPans will play an integral role in Virtual Pizza Academy’s live classes, on-demand courses, content creation, and educational initiatives throughout 2026.

“LloydPans has become the industry benchmark for pan pizza, and we’re thrilled to partner with them at this level,” said Jim Henry, Co-Founder of Virtual Pizza Academy. “Our mission is to teach pizza the right way—with professional tools, real techniques, and industry-leading partners. This partnership reinforces that commitment.”

VPA instructors will continue using LloydPans products in classes to teach authentic pan pizza techniques—including Detroit-style, Sicilian, Grandma, and other pan-focused styles—giving students direct insight into professional workflows and tools used in commercial kitchens.

“We’re excited to partner with Virtual Pizza Academy and support their mission to educate the next generation of pizza makers,” said the LloydPans team. “VPA’s commitment to quality instruction and professional-grade equipment aligns perfectly with our values.”

Finger on the Pulse: VPA Co-Founder named to the PMQ ‘Cover Stars’ Council.

Virtual Pizza Academy is proud to share that Jim Mirabelli, Co-Founder of Virtual Pizza Academy, has been named to the PMQ Cover Stars Council, a select group of pizza professionals chosen by PMQ Pizza Magazine for their ability to stay closely connected to what’s happening across the pizza industry.

The PMQ Cover Stars Council was created to ensure the publication maintains a true finger on the pulse of the pizza world. Council members include working operators, educators, and industry leaders who bring real-world perspective on trends, challenges, and opportunities facing independent pizzerias today. The group meets regularly to share insights and help guide editorial direction grounded in hands-on experience.

Jim’s selection reflects his ongoing work as an educator, collaborator, and industry voice through Virtual Pizza Academy. From dough formulation and fermentation to pan styles, ovens, and operational decision-making, his day-to-day involvement with pizza makers around the world keeps him deeply connected to how the craft and business of pizza continue to evolve.

This recognition further reinforces Virtual Pizza Academy’s commitment to education built on real industry experience—not theory. It’s another example of how VPA’s classes, tools, and resources are shaped by active participation in the broader pizza community.

We’re honored to see Jim recognized alongside such a respected group of industry leaders and look forward to continuing to bring that perspective directly into Virtual Pizza Academy classrooms.

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How Virtual Pizza Academy Is Changing the Game — Insights from Our PMQ Feature

We’re thrilled to share that Virtual Pizza Academy was recently featured in PMQ Magazine and the Peel: A PMQ Pizza Podcast. It’s humbling and inspiring to see our journey, vision, and passion for teaching pizza-making being spotlighted by an industry-leading voice. Here’s what came out of the conversation — and why it’s such a big deal for us and our students.

Meet the Voices Behind the Academy

In Episode 41 of Peel: A PMQ Pizza Podcast, hosts sat down with our co-founders Jim Henry (aka “Jimmy Hank” / The Frico King) and Jim Mirabelli (founder of NEPA Pizza Review). SoundCloud

Jim Henry brings deep technical mastery of pizza styles, precision, and flavor — you might know him from his frico edge experiments or his strong presence in the online pizza‐make scene.
Jim Mirabelli contributes a storyteller’s heart — relentless enthusiasm, regional knowledge, and a knack for helping others see the art behind each pie.

Together, they share not just what makes a good pizza, but what makes pizza-making a journey.

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Virtual Pizza Academy Partners with Stanislaus Foods and Corto Olive Oil to Elevate Pizza Education Through Quality Ingredients

Virtual Pizza Academy (VPA) is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with two of the most respected names in the food industry: Stanislaus Foods, a benchmark in premium tomato products, and Corto Olive Oil, renowned for their cold-extracted, fresh California olive oils. This collaboration marks a major milestone in VPA’s mission to deliver world-class pizza education through accessible, on-demand learning — now enriched by the stories and standards behind the industry’s most trusted ingredients.

In the pizza world, ingredients are technique. While dough-making and baking skill are essential, what goes on the pizza defines flavor, quality, and customer experience. With this new partnership, Virtual Pizza Academy is creating exclusive educational content, demos, and behind-the-scenes insights to help students understand how to choose and use the best tomatoes and olive oils available — and why it matters.

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Two acclaimed pizzaioli to teach virtual courses on detroit and Pan fried sicilian in early '25

A pair of highly regarded home pizza makers and industry influencers from Pennsylvania will share their culinary smarts and expertise on two flavor-packed regional styles in virtual classes taking place in January and February 2025.

The classes, to be offered via livestream, will be led by Jim Henry of Jimmyhank Pizza in Harleysville (a suburb of Philadelphia) and Jim Mirabelli of NEPA Pizza Review in Clarks Summit.

The first class focuses on Detroit-style pizza and will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. (Eastern time) on Thursday, January 16. Henry and Mirabelli will follow up with a second class on Pan-Fried Sicilian pizza, to be offered from 7:30 to 9 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, February 13.

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Master Class at Lackawanna college School of Culinary Arts

Join Pizza Enthusiasts for a Hands-On Pizza Masterclass: Fundraiser for Lackawanna College Culinary Students

Pizza lovers, mark your calendars! Join Jim Mirabelli of NEPA Pizza Review and Jim Henry of Jimmy Hank Pizza as they team up to host an exciting Pizza Masterclass inside Lackawanna College’s professional culinary kitchen. This exclusive event offers a unique opportunity to learn the art of crafting perfect pizzas while supporting a great cause: raising funds for Lackawanna College culinary students.

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Press.

Virtual Pizza Academy Announces LloydPans as Signature Sponsor for 2026

Finger on the Pulse: VPA Co-Founder named to the PMQ ‘Cover Stars’ Council.

How Virtual Pizza Academy Is Changing the Game — Insights from Our PMQ Feature

Meet the Voices Behind the Academy

Virtual Pizza Academy Partners with Stanislaus Foods and Corto Olive Oil to Elevate Pizza Education Through Quality Ingredients

Two acclaimed pizzaioli to teach virtual courses on detroit and Pan fried sicilian in early '25

Master Class at Lackawanna college School of Culinary Arts

Join Pizza Enthusiasts for a Hands-On Pizza Masterclass: Fundraiser for Lackawanna College Culinary Students

All Press Inquires