Italian chef fired for refusing to put pineapple on pizza defends his stand
Italian chef Davide Tamburella was fired for refusing to put pineapple on pizza. He said it would ruin the dough.
Davide Tamburella was fired from La Costa Restaurant in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley on May 20. A customer asked for pineapple on pizza.
He refused. The chef had been hired to prepare real Italian food.
He thought this request would hurt his craft. Tamburella told the media that pineapple's acid and sweetness would drown out the flavor of the dough.
He learned to make this dough from his grandmother. Tamburella thought the demand was an insult to his culture.
La Costa's manager disagreed. He said Australian Italian restaurants often serve pineapple.
He said customers' fair orders should be met. Tamburella filed an unfair dismissal claim but missed the deadline with the Fair Work Commission.
Despite losing the job, he says he has no regrets. The restaurant has since closed.
- Davide Tamburella
- Chef
- Third refusal before dismissal
- Refused
- May 20
- Date fired
Why it mattersThe dispute raises questions about cultural food traditions versus what customers want in Australian restaurants.
AustraliaA Brisbane incident that attracted international media attention, reflecting broader tension between immigrant chefs' traditions and local restaurant customer expectations.
