Fair Work Commission upholds chef's firing over pineapple pizza refusal

Fair Work Commission upholds chef's firing over pineapple pizza refusal

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On 6 November, the Fair Work Commission rejected Brisbane restaurant owner Elliot Ingram’s bid to overturn the dismissal of Italian chef Davide Tamburella, who had refused to add pineapple to a pizza at his Fortitude Valley eatery. The decision upheld the termination. The commission had earlier dismissed Tamburella’s unfair-dismissal claim filed on 3 November, finding the application was lodged 28 days after his termination and that no exceptional circumstances justified an extension.

Actors

Davide Tamburella Elliot Ingram Fair Work Commission Jennifer Hunt La Costa

Locations

Fortitude Valley, Queensland, Australia

Articles

November 06, 2026
4 total
Italian chef's dismissal over pineapple pizza sparks Fair Work Commission case
Italian chef's dismissal over pineapple pizza sparks Fair Work Commission case

The Age • 06 Nov 06:46

A Brisbane restaurant owner’s attempt to overturn the firing of an Italian chef who refused to add pineapple to a pizza was rejected by the Fair Work Commission.

Credibility 88% Manip. 8% Center
Former La Costa chef's unfair dismissal claim rejected after pineapple pizza dispute
Former La Costa chef's unfair dismissal claim rejected after pineapple pizza dispute

Brisbane Times • 06 Nov 06:46

A former Italian chef's claim of unfair dismissal over refusing to add pineapple to a pizza was dismissed by the Fair Work Commission, which found the application was filed late.

Credibility 85% Manip. 8% Center
Italian chef's dismissal upheld after late unfair-dismissal claim
Italian chef's dismissal upheld after late unfair-dismissal claim

The Age • 06 Nov 03:07

The Fair Work Commission rejected an unfair-dismissal application filed 28 days after the termination of chef Davide Tamburella, citing no exceptional circumstances for an extension.

Credibility 85% Manip. 8% Center
Italian chef's unfair dismissal claim rejected after refusing pineapple on pizza
Italian chef's unfair dismissal claim rejected after refusing pineapple on pizza

PerthNow • 06 Nov 00:46

A Fair Work Commission dismissed an Italian chef's claim of unfair dismissal, ruling the application was filed too late after he declined to add pineapple to pizza, citing cultural offense.

Credibility 88% Manip. 8% Center
November 05, 2026
3 total
Australian tribunal rejects Italian chef's unfair-dismissal claim over pineapple pizza refusals
Australian tribunal rejects Italian chef's unfair-dismissal claim over pineapple pizza refusals

Newser • 05 Nov 15:56

The Fair Work Commission dismissed Davide Tamburella's claim that he was unfairly fired from Brisbane's La Costa after refusing to make ham-and-pineapple pizza, citing procedural issues and lack of exceptional circumstances.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
Italian chef dismissed from Queensland restaurant after refusing pineapple topping
Italian chef dismissed from Queensland restaurant after refusing pineapple topping

BBC • 05 Nov 07:56

An Italian chef was terminated from a Brisbane eatery after repeatedly declining to prepare ham and pineapple pizza, citing cultural objections, and his unfair-dismissal claim was rejected by the Fair Work Commission.

Credibility 88% Manip. 8% Center
Italian chef dismissed over refusal to serve pineapple pizza loses appeal
Italian chef dismissed over refusal to serve pineapple pizza loses appeal

The Guardian • 05 Nov 04:53

The Fair Work Commission rejected an Italian chef's claim that his termination for refusing to make pineapple pizza violated workplace protections.

Credibility 85% Manip. 8% Center

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