{
  "id": 18335327,
  "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-18335327",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-05T16:26:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KahawaTungu",
    "slug": "kahawatungu",
    "url": "https://kahawatungu.com/italian-chef-fired-after-refusing-to-put-pineapple-on-pizza/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An Italian chef, Davide Tamburella, was dismissed from the Brisbane restaurant La Costa after declining to place pineapple on a pizza, deeming it an \"insult to his culture.\" This stance emerged following a series of grievances from management regarding Tamburella's behaviour. Among these complaints was his refusal to prepare ham and pineapple pizza for guests at a function, which he deemed offensive to his cultural sensibilities. Tamburella had previously requested his superior to \"investigate the significance for Italians in not adding pineapple to a pizza\" four years prior. The Fair Work Commission's recent ruling highlighted that this was the third instance of Tamburella's refusal to use pineapple on pizzas within a four-year period. Queensland, the state where the restaurant is situated, is recognized as Australia's primary pineapple producer. The Sunshine Coast, a tourist hotspot, is adorned with a 16-meter-tall fibreglass pineapple, a local landmark. Tamburella's dismissal was also attributed to other issues, including foul language, communication style, and workplace frustration. Furthermore, Tamburella had sustained a fractured hand when striking a metal handrail at the workplace in April. Despite his quest for a visa to become a permanent resident, the restaurant withdrew the sponsorship application upon his dismissal. The restaurant's managing director, Elliot Ingram, argued that the situation was more complex than just a pizza topping issue. Tamburella's LinkedIn profile emphasizes his dedication to delivering exceptional food and enhancing business performance, adding that he now works at another Brisbane restaurant.",
  "summary": "An Italian chef sacked from a Brisbane restaurant had refused to put pineapple on a pizza because it was an “insult to his culture”. Davide Tamburella was fired from the now-closed La Costa restaurant in May, a fortnight after a meeting with management who had a string of complaints about the chef’s behaviour. Among them [...] The post Italian chef fired after refusing to put pineapple on pizza…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "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": "Punch",
        "title": "Italian chef sacked after refusing pineapple on pizza",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/italian-chef-sacked-after-refusing-pineapple-on-pizza",
        "published": "2026-11-05T09:24:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Italian chef in Australia fired after refusing to put pineapple on pizza, calls it 'insult to culture'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/italian-chef-in-australia-fired-after-refusing-to-put-pineapple-on",
        "published": "2026-11-05T09:57:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "‘An insult to his culture’: Italian chef fired by Australian restaurant for refusing to put pineapple on pizza",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/an-insult-to-his-culture-italian-chef-fired-by-australian-restaurant",
        "published": "2026-11-05T10:32:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "'Insult To My Culture': Italian Chef Fired After He Refused To Put Pineapple On Pizza In Australian Restaurant",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/insult-to-my-culture-italian-chef-fired-after-he-refused-to-put",
        "published": "2026-11-05T10:43:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}