Brisbane Chef Loses Claim After Pineapple Pizza Dispute

Australia’s Fair Work Commission rejected Tamburella’s unfair dismissal application because it was filed too late. In its ruling, released on November 3, the commission said he had refused three times over four years to make pizza with pineapple, which he regarded as an insult to his Italian culture. He had previously asked his boss to consider how important the issue was to Italians.

La Costa said the topping dispute was among several concerns about Tamburella’s work, including his communication and use of foul language. The restaurant said those issues contributed to frustration in the workplace. Its managing director, Elliot Ingram, said there was more to the matter than a pizza topping.

The commission’s account also included an incident earlier this year in which Tamburella broke bones in his right hand when hitting a metal handrail at work. Tamburella said he had hoped the restaurant would sponsor a visa allowing him to become a permanent resident, but the sponsorship process ended after he was dismissed. La Costa has since closed, and Tamburella has found work at another Brisbane restaurant. The dispute has renewed attention on the divisive question of pineapple as a pizza topping.