Christy Alia, a New York City native and seasoned pizzaiola, finds joy in how great pizza and bread bring people together. Her passion for pizza-making was sparked by childhood memories of helping her Sicilian grandfather with dough, which inspired her to create new recipes, including sourdough versions of his classics. Christy currently teaches classes, develops recipes, and consults for websites, businesses, and cookbooks. She recently assisted Alexandra Stafford with her New York Times Best-Selling cookbook Pizza Night.

In 2020, Christy launched her Instagram account @RealCleverFood to document her pizza journey and share tutorials that inspire a growing community of pizza enthusiasts. Her dedication to both the craft and the community led her to found #WomensPizzaMonth in March 2021, an initiative that celebrates women in the pizza industry and unites pizza makers worldwide.

Christy’s commitment to giving back is reflected in the fundraisers she organizes yearly, supporting causes that align with her values. As a proud Gozney Ambassador, East Coast Collective Leader, and active member of the pizza community, she continues to bring people together through the art of dough, toppings, classes, community gatherings, and catering.