By Salma El-Sakka
Italian chef Davide Tamburella was fired from a Brisbane restaurant after refusing to put pineapple on pizza, citing cultural offense.
Background and dismissal
Tamburella was dismissed from the now-closed La Costa restaurant in May following a meeting with management about a series of complaints. Among them was his refusal to provide ham and pineapple pizza for guests at a function. At the time, the chef stated that any direction from management "need not be followed when it is offensive to his culture".
Unfair dismissal claim
Tamburella took his case to Australia's Fair Work Commission, claiming unfair dismissal. In a ruling released on Tuesday, the commission noted that his refusal stemmed from his belief that, as an Italian, putting pineapple on a pizza is an insult to his culture. It also recorded that this was the third time in four years he had refused to use the fruit on pizzas, and that he had previously asked his boss to "check how important it is for Italians not to put pineapple on a pizza".
Queensland pineapple context
The state of Queensland, where the restaurant was located, is considered Australia's pineapple heartland and produces all of the country's commercially grown pineapples. On the Sunshine Coast, the heritage-listed Big Pineapple, a 16-metre-tall fibreglass model, has become a local landmark.
Other workplace issues
The ruling also detailed additional concerns about Tamburella's use of foul language, his communication style, and an "escalation of frustration in the workplace". An incident in April this year saw him fracture bones in his right hand after striking a metal handrail.
Visa sponsorship and outcome
Tamburella had been hoping the restaurant would sponsor a skilled-worker visa leading to permanent residency. After his sacking, the restaurant ended that process. He lost his unfair dismissal claim on the grounds that the application had been filed too late.
Restaurant response and current status
The restaurant's managing director, Elliot Ingram, told the Daily Mail there was "more to this story than a pizza topping". The BBC has approached Tamburella for comment. His LinkedIn profile indicates he now works at another Brisbane restaurant, which does not list pineapple on its menu.
