A refusal to prepare pineapple pizza featured in Italian chef Davide Tamburella’s employment dispute with Brisbane restaurant La Costa. The case, reported in early November, also involved other complaints by the employer about workplace conduct.

Dismissal happened in May

Tamburella declined an instruction to prepare ham and pineapple pizza for guests. Reports said he acknowledged refusing similar instructions three times in four years and linked his stance to Italian culinary culture.

He was dismissed on 20 May. The current coverage concerns a decision about an earlier dispute, not a dismissal that occurred today.

A procedural outcome

The Fair Work Commission rejected the application because it was late and exceptional circumstances were not established. That does not amount to a ruling on whether pineapple belongs on pizza. The file also discussed communication and conduct complaints.

Turkish coverage drew a comparison with chef Danilo Zanna’s public dislike of pineapple pizza. Zanna had no involvement in the Australian case.