Mirko D’Agata of No. 900 Pizzeria Napolitaine recently became the first Canadian pizza chef to be crowned Pizza Maker of the Year at the prestigious International Pizza Challenge.

D’Agata won the Pan Pizza category with a Roman pizza (remember he won in 2025 in the Neapolitan category) and got the final nod from judges over other category winners in Traditional, Non-Traditional, Neapolitan, Italian Classica and Best Cheese Pizza Slice.

D’Agata, who won in 2025 in the Neapolitan category, this year won in the Pan Pizza category with “My Padellino with Ossobuco” Roman pizza. He got the nod from judges in the final showdown for his pizza alla pala with zucchini ricotta lemon zest burrata and mint chiffonade over other category winners in Traditional, Non-Traditional, Neapolitan, Italian Classica and Best Cheese Pizza Slice.

D’Agata told Canadian Pizza, “I’m incredibly proud and humbled. Winning World Champion Pizza Maker at Pizza Expo is a dream come true, and it’s a recognition of years of hard work, passion and dedication – not just mine, but of the entire team at No. 900.

He said, “The competition was intense, emotional and very fun. With 750 participants from all over the world and a blind tasting jury, every moment counted. It pushed me to perform at my very best. Before the final, I had to wake up during the middle of the night to prepare my dough. It was exhausting but incredibly rewarding.”

The chef shared details of his winning Pan Pizza entry, “My Padellino with Ossobuco,” for which he used three flours (00 / 0 / Tipo 1), hydration of 78 per cent, cold fermentation of 20 hours and room temperature fermentation of 10 hours. Ingredients included low-temperature cooked ossobuco, Milanese-style risotto cream, 30-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano emulsion, gremolata (parsley, garlic and lemon) and the pizza was topped with a delicate saffron tuile (wafer). “My focus now is to bring that same level of excellence to our restaurants, starting with the summer menu. I want to continue sharing my passion for pizza, training the next generation of pizzaioli, so next year I would be glad to celebrate a colleague of mine if they win and not me!”

For the Pizza Maker of the Year finals, the chef presented a pizza alla pala with zucchini ricotta lemon zest burrata and mint chiffonade. Watch as D’Agata presents his zucchini pizza alla palla to the judges.

Watch the historic moment when D’Agata was announced as the winner.

Read our cover story on D’Agata and No. 900 from 2023, who specializes in training and who recently launched a school for AVPN certification based in Montreal last year.