"Damage to heritage": Italian chef refused to add pineapple to pizza - and was fired

An Italian chef in Brisbane was fired after refusing to add pineapple to a pizza for a customer. The labor commission dismissed his claim due to late filing. The employer cited additional issues with the chef's conduct. Following the dismissal, the chef also lost sponsorship for permanent residency.

An Italian chef at a restaurant in Brisbane, Australia, was fired after refusing to add pineapple to a pizza ordered by a customer for an event worth about 36,000 shekels. The chef, Davide Tamburrelli, argued that adding pineapple to pizza is a violation of Italian culinary heritage. The Australian Fair Work Commission dismissed his request to review the legality of the dismissal due to late filing. The restaurant owner, Elliott Ingram, noted that the refusal was not the sole reason for the firing, citing additional issues such as inappropriate language and conflicts with staff. Following the dismissal, Tamburrelli also lost the employer's sponsorship for his permanent residency application in Australia. The restaurant itself closed last July. Tamburrelli found work at another Italian restaurant where pineapple does not appear on the menu.