An Italian chef’s challenge after he was dismissed for refusing to put pineapple on a pizza has been dismissed by Australia’s Fair Work Commission.
Davide Tamburella said the topping was an “insult to his culture” after declining a management instruction at La Costa Restaurant and Bar in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
The dispute was outlined in a ruling published on November 3 by Commissioner Jennifer Hunt. However, his application was rejected because it was lodged outside the statutory deadline.
The commission heard that Mr Tamburella had met owner Elliot Ingram two weeks before his dismissal on May 20, amid concerns about his performance.
One issue discussed was his refusal to prepare pineapple pizza for a function. Mr Tamburella confirmed he knew Mr Ingram had directed that the fruit be used, but said he considered the request offensive as an Italian.
He reportedly acknowledged that it was the third time in four years he had refused such an instruction and told his employer to research the cultural importance some Italians placed on keeping pineapple off pizza.
Mr Ingram said the topping was not traditional but argued that restaurants also had to accommodate their customers.
“With Italians, they’re very traditional when it comes to their food, especially pizza. But at the end of the day, we’re not in Italy,” he said.
“We’re in Australia and we have to go with what the customers’ reasonable requests are.”
Other matters raised during the disciplinary process included an incident on April 24, when Mr Tamburella fractured fingers on his dominant hand after striking a metal handrail.
Mr Ingram said there was “more to this story than a pizza topping”. He said refusing to follow a management direction relating to a customer request was one of several issues considered.
He also referred to concerns about inappropriate language, escalation during service and interactions with staff, while maintaining that Mr Tamburella’s workplace injury, medical leave and workers’ compensation claim had played no part in the decision to end his employment.
Mr Ingram said the commission had dismissed the general protections application after refusing an extension to the filing deadline, but had not finally determined Mr Tamburella’s claim about the reasons for his dismissal.
La Costa closed in June, although Mr Ingram owns other restaurants in Brisbane. The controversy has attracted attention in Queensland, a major producer of commercially grown pineapples.
“Who would have thought that pineapple on a pizza would cause such a debate across the world?” Mr Ingram said.
He added: “We’re in Queensland after all, we’ve got the best pineapples in the world. But I’m more of a pepperoni guy myself, to be honest.”
Mr Tamburella has since become head chef at Don Gino in West End, according to his LinkedIn profile.
