{
  "id": 18280811,
  "title": "Italian chef sacked after refusing pineapple on pizza",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/italian-chef-sacked-after-refusing-pineapple-on-pizza",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-05T09:24:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/italian-chef-sacked-after-refusing-pineapple-on-pizza/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An Italian chef working in Brisbane, Australia, named Davide Tamburella, was recently fired from his job at the restaurant La Costa. The reason for his termination was his refusal to add pineapple to pizza, a topping he considers offensive to his Italian heritage. This incident came after a series of complaints from management regarding Tamburella's work behavior, including his use of profanity and escalating frustration at the workplace. The Fair Work Commission, a tribunal in Australia, ruled in Tamburella's favor, stating that he had refused to use pineapple on pizza three times within the past four years. The tribunal also found that the dispute extended beyond the pizza topping issue, involving management's concerns about Tamburella's foul language and communication style. Unfortunately for Tamburella, the restaurant had already ended his sponsorship process for a visa that would have allowed him to stay in Australia as a skilled worker.",
  "summary": "An Italian chef in Australia has been sacked from a Brisbane restaurant after repeatedly refusing to put pineapple on pizza, calling it an insult to his cu Read More: https://punchng.com/italian-chef-sacked-after-refusing-pineapple-on-pizza/",
  "key_points": [
    "Italian chef Davide Tamburella sacked for refusing pineapple on pizza",
    "Management complained about his work behavior and foul language",
    "Fair Work Commission ruled in Tamburella's favor, citing past refusals"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian Australia",
        "title": "‘An insult to his culture’: Italian chef sacked for not putting pineapple on pizza loses bid to get job back",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/an-insult-to-his-culture-italian-chef-sacked-for-not-putting",
        "published": "2026-11-05T04:53:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Italian chef fired after refusing to put pineapple on pizza",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/italian-chef-fired-after-refusing-to-put-pineapple-on-pizza",
        "published": "2026-11-05T07:56:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Italian chef fired after refusing to put pineapple on pizza",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/italian-chef-fired-after-refusing-to-put-pineapple-on-pizza-18297176",
        "published": "2026-11-05T11:17:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}