Press

Jimmy Henry Wins California Freestyle Category at the 2026 Real California Pizza Contest

Virtual Pizza Academyis proud to announce that co-founder Jimmy Henrycaptured theCalifornia Freestyle Category Championshipat the2026 Real California Pizza Contestwith hisMotor City Elote Detroit-Style Pizza, competing against some of the most talented pizza makers in the United States. Jimmy's category victory came after being selected as one of only eight national finalists in this year's competition hosted by the California Milk Advisory Board in Napa, California.

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Get First-Class Pizza Education Online at Virtual Pizza Academy

These Pa. guys want to teach you how to make pizza

Virtual Pizza Academy Co-Founder Jimmy Henry Named Finalist in National Real California Pizza Contest

REAL CALIFORNIA MILK ANNOUNCES EIGHT PROFESSIONAL CHEF FINALISTS IN NATIONAL PIZZA CONTEST
Eighth annual contest brings top chefs to Napa to showcase innovative pizzas featuring Real California cheese and dairy products while competing for more than $20k in prizes

Tracy, Calif. – June 1, 2026 – The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) today announced the eight finalists selected to compete in the 2026 Real California Pizza Contest, a nationwide competition celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the use of Real California cheese and dairy products in foodservice pizza recipes.

Chosen from a field of more than 200 entries submitted by culinary professionals from across the United States, the finalists will travel to Napa, Calif., for the opportunity to compete for more than $20,000 in prize money during the live bake-off finals July 14th at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia.

Chef finalists will compete in two categories designed to showcase both menu-ready innovation and creative culinary expression using Real California cheese and dairy products. Four finalists will compete in each category, with one winner selected from California Freestyle and one winner selected from On the Menu.

California Freestyle

This category features an original pizza inspired by California flavors and ingredients that showcases Real California Mozzarella and at least two additional Real California dairy products.

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Pizza Expo 2026: Pittsburgh is everywhere in Las Vegas

In front of a standing room-only crowd, Henry, owner of Virtual Pizza Academy & Jimmyhank Pizza in Harleysville, Pa., broke down Detroit-style technique; Gemignani, whose multiple pizzerias span across Northern California and Las Vegas, worked the trending cast -iron format; and Stalewski drew sustained applause with his sesame-seed-crusted Grandma pie.

“Having people like Eddie come on the scene excites those of us who have been doing it for a long time,” Gemignani said afterward. “What he does on social media inspires a lot of people.”

Discover NEPA features Jim Mirabelli of NEPA Pizza Review - Why NEPA?

Learn how local pizza influencer, Jim Mirabelli, came from pick up games of Wiffle Ball in his Factoryville neighborhood to the University of Scranton to creator of the widely-popular NEPA Pizza Review and Virtual Pizza Academy and how he can't imagine himself doing it anywhere else but right here at home in Northeastern PA.

Jim Mirabelli, known to most as NEPA’s Pizza Review Guy, grew up in the quiet borough of Factoryville. And if he wasn’t playing Wiffle Ball, he was nose deep in Goosebumps trying to earn some coveted Pizza Hut Book-it stamps.

After graduating from Lackawanna Trail High School, Jim earned a degree in Accounting from Keystone College and an MBA from The University of Scranton. Through it all, he cut his teeth in local pizza kitchens. There, he learned all the secrets and fell in love with every element of the business. Soon, pizza had become a life-altering obsession – one that would chart his course to becoming NEPA’s most widely-recognized food influencer. Alas, NEPA Pizza Review was born.

We recently caught up with Jim at his Virtual Pizza Academy, or as he deems it “the pizza garage.” We did most of the talkin’. He did all the cookin’. And in between slices of delicious homemade pizza, we hit him with all the questions, including Why NEPA?

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VPA Teams Up With LloydPans: A New Partnership Built for Better Pan Pizza

At Virtual Pizza Academy (VPA), we’re obsessed with one thing: helping you make better pizza—at home, in your backyard oven, or in a professional kitchen.

And today we’ve got a big announcement:

Virtual Pizza Academy is officially partnering with LloydPans.

If you’ve been around the pizza world for any amount of time, you already know the name. LloydPans is one of the most trusted manufacturers in the industry—known for producing professional-grade pans that deliver consistent results and, in many cases, make the difference between “pretty good” and elite-level pizza.

This partnership is a huge step forward for VPA… and an even bigger win for our students.

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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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All Press Inquires

all of our press announcements can be found here

Press.

Jimmy Henry Wins California Freestyle Category at the 2026 Real California Pizza Contest

Get First-Class Pizza Education Online at Virtual Pizza Academy

These Pa. guys want to teach you how to make pizza

Virtual Pizza Academy Co-Founder Jimmy Henry Named Finalist in National Real California Pizza Contest

Pizza Expo 2026: Pittsburgh is everywhere in Las Vegas

Discover NEPA features Jim Mirabelli of NEPA Pizza Review - Why NEPA?

VPA Teams Up With LloydPans: A New Partnership Built for Better Pan Pizza

Virtual Pizza Academy is officially partnering with LloydPans.

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

58% Hydration Dough Mini-Class (On-Demand, 8 minutes)

adidas Unisex Performance Polo

Chicago Tavern Thin Crust (On-Demand, 60 Minutes)

Cooler Cozie for Virtual Pizza Academy Lovers, Beer Hugger, Party Accessory, Gift for Pizza Enthusiasts, Fun Beverage Holder