Brisbane chef loses unfair dismissal claim over pineapple pizza refusal

An Italian chef was dismissed from a Brisbane restaurant after refusing several times to make ham and pineapple pizza, saying the topping insulted his culture. The case drew attention after he challenged his dismissal, but Australia’s Fair Work Commission rejected his claim because it was filed too late.

The commission said this was the third time in four years Davide Tamburella had refused to use pineapple on pizzas. His employer had also raised concerns about his language, communication and conduct at work; the restaurant ended a visa sponsorship process after dismissing him. The venue has since closed, and Queensland is Australia’s main commercial pineapple-producing state.