Hot Chef: Arthur Cavaliere is a piece of the action

For those who are serious about pizza, chef Arthur Cavaliere of In Riva is turning his dining room into a classroom and inviting curious students to break bread and stretch some dough in monthly pizza-making courses. We had to know more.

Can you share your pizza class lesson plan?

Our pizza classes consist of a four-course dinner with wine pairings. The fourth course being the hands on, build-your-own-pizza-from-scratch course. After the second course is finished, we kick out the chairs, throw aprons on everyone, cover the tables — and sometimes the guests — with tons of flour.

How do you feel about Philly being the first city to have a pizza museum?

I think it’s a great addition to the already premiere Philadelphia museum scene. You can go check out Cezanne at the Art Museum, fossils at the Academy of Natural Sciences, and now pepperoni and dough at Pizza Brain.

Where’s the best place to get a drink after a long day in the kitchen?

The lobby bar at the Ritz Carlton. It’s relaxing, under the radar, and has the most comfortable chairs you could ever sit in.

Where do you eat on your day off?

Pho Xe Lua in Chinatown. Exclusively. I get there by 10:30 a.m., out by 11:15. Sometimes I’ll go back later for dinner. Best food in Philly, hands down.

What’s your favorite non-restaurant destination in Philly?

The best place to go in Philly on a night out is the ballpark. I’m a huge baseball fan, and while you’re surrounded by 45,000 people, you still have the chance to decompress and enjoy being outside.

If you go

Register for classes

In Riva (4116 Ridge Ave.) is holding pizza classes Oct. 1, Nov. 12 and Dec. 3. For reservations, call

215-438-4848.