06.11.2026 09:51
In Australia, Italian chef Davide Tamburella refused customers' requests because he regarded putting pineapple on pizza as an insult to his culture. The chef, who refused to prepare pineapple pizza three times in four years, was fired after complaints about his behavior in the workplace. Tamburella, who took legal action arguing that he was unfairly dismissed, lost the case because he filed his application late.
An incident in Brisbane, in Australia's Queensland state, has brought pineapple pizza—one of the most controversial topics in Italian cuisine—back into the spotlight. Italian chef Davide Tamburella, who works at a restaurant, refused to fulfill customers' requests, arguing that adding pineapple to pizza is an insult to his culture. It emerged that Tamburella had refused to put pineapple on pizza three times over the past four years.
"AN INSULT TO MY CULTURE," HE SAID, REFUSING
According to BBC News, Tamburella refused to prepare ham and pineapple pizza for customers during an event held at the restaurant. The Italian chef argued that he was not obliged to follow his employer's instructions if they were contrary to his culture and amounted to an insult.
Court records also showed that Tamburella had previously asked his boss to research how important it is for Italians not to put pineapple on pizza.
RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT FIRED HIM
The Italian chef was fired about two weeks after a meeting with the restaurant management in May 2026. It was stated that the management complained not only about the pineapple pizza issue but also about Tamburella's behavior in the workplace.
The chef's manner of communicating with his colleagues, his use of profanity, and his anger outbursts at work were among other issues that came up during the dismissal process.
IT EMERGED THAT HE BROKE HIS HAND IN ANGER
According to the records examined, Tamburella hit a metal railing at the workplace in April 2026 and broke some bones in his right hand. It was stated that his problems with the restaurant management continued after the incident.
It was learned that at that time Tamburella expected his employer to sponsor his visa as part of the process toward permanent residency. However, after terminating the chef's employment, the restaurant management also stopped the sponsorship process.
HE CLAIMED HE WAS UNFAIRLY DISMISSED AND LOST THE CASE
Tamburella, arguing that his dismissal was unfair, applied to the Fair Work Commission of Australia. However, according to the decision published by the commission on November 3, the chef's request was rejected because the application was made after the legal deadline had passed. Thus, Tamburella lost his application regarding the claim of unfair dismissal.
Meanwhile, it drew attention that Queensland, the state where the incident occurred, is the region where all of Australia's commercially grown pineapples are produced.
HE STARTED WORKING AT ANOTHER RESTAURANT
It was learned that Tamburella, who made a new start after leaving his job, began working at another restaurant in Brisbane.