An Italian chef in Brisbane was dismissed from his job after refusing to put pineapple on pizza, a topping he described as an insult to his culture. Davide Tamburella lost his position at the now-shuttered La Costa restaurant following a meeting with management, who raised several complaints about his conduct.
Refusal to Serve Pineapple Pizza
Among the issues listed by management was Tamburella's refusal to put ham on a pineapple pizza for function guests. He is alleged to have said that any direction from management "need not be followed when it is offensive to his culture."
According to a ruling published by Australia's Fair Work Commission, the chef refused to put pineapple on pizza because he "considers, as an Italian, that putting pineapple on pizza is an insult to his culture." The ruling noted he had refused to do so on two earlier occasions over the past four years.
Other Complaints and Visa Hopes
Tamburella had previously told employers to understand "how important it is for Italians not to put pineapple on pizza." Queensland, where the restaurant was located, is a major producer of the fruit and supplies all of Australia's commercially-grown produce.
Other concerns raised about Tamburella included his alleged use of foul language and "escalation of frustration in the workplace." The ruling also detailed an incident in April in which he fractured bones in his right hand after striking a metal hand rail.
Unfair Dismissal Claim Dismissed
Tamburella had hoped the restaurant would sponsor a visa that would eventually put him on a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers. However, that process ended when the restaurant sacked him, the commission tribunal heard.
He later lost his unfair dismissal claim because the application was filed too late, according to the ruling. La Costa's managing director, Elliot Ingram, told the Daily Mail there had been "more to this story than a pizza topping."
