Italian chef Davide Tamburella was dismissed from his role at La Costa, a Queensland restaurant that marketed itself as an “elegant slice of Italy,” after refusing to add pineapple to a pizza, and a hearing before Australia’s Fair Work Commission upheld the termination, denying his request for reinstatement.
The Fair Work Commission heard that Tamburella’s sacking stemmed directly from his refusal to use the controversial topping, a decision that the employer argued was a breach of workplace expectations. The commission found no legal basis to overturn the dismissal.
La Costa, located in the urban heart of Queensland’s Sunshine State, was styled with sea‑foam green and white décor, exposed brick columns and European oak tables, and promoted classic Italian dishes. Its website promised diners “you’ll only need a moment to realise you’re not in Brisbane anymore, you’ve made it to the Italian Riviera.”
Following the commission’s ruling, Tamburella’s bid to regain his position at the now‑closed restaurant was rejected, leaving him without the job he had held at the establishment.
The case highlights the ongoing debate in the hospitality sector over the use of pineapple as a pizza topping, a practice that remains divisive among chefs and diners alike, but the commission’s decision was based solely on the employment dispute rather than culinary preferences.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>