A restaurant owner has defended the dismissal of a chef who refused to put pineapple on pizzas, stating that customer requests must be accommodated.

Davide Tamburella was dismissed on May 20, claiming that adding pineapple to pizza was an "insult to his culture." The Fair Work Commission (FWC) heard that two weeks prior, Tamburella had a meeting with his employer, La Costa Restaurant and Bar in Fortitude Valley, regarding performance concerns, including his refusal to put pineapple on pizza at a function.

Tamburella confirmed he was aware his boss, Elliot Ingram, had directed that pineapple be used. He refused the direction, stating he considered it offensive as an Italian. The FWC noted this was the third time in four years he had refused such a direction. Tamburella also reportedly advised his boss to research the cultural significance some Italians placed on not using pineapple on pizza. Other reasons cited for his dismissal included an incident on April 24 where he fractured his dominant hand after striking a metal handrail.

Ingram told The Age that while pineapple is not a classic topping, "at the end of the day, we're not in Italy. We're in Australia and we have to go with what the customers' reasonable requests are."

The circumstances emerged in an FWC ruling published on November 3 by Commissioner Jennifer Hunt. Tamburella's challenge was dismissed after the commissioner found the application had been lodged outside the statutory deadline. The commission did not determine the merits of his claim about the reasons for dismissal.

Ingram, who has since closed La Costa but owns other Brisbane restaurants, told the Daily Mail that there was "more to this story than a pizza topping." He added that the FWC decision recorded concerns about inappropriate language, escalation during service, and interactions with staff. Ingram also stated that Tamburella's workplace injury and subsequent claim played no part in the decision to end his employment.

Tamburella has since become head chef at Don Gino in West End, according to his LinkedIn profile. The Daily Mail has approached him for comment.