An Italian chef who worked at a Brisbane restaurant has had a workplace claim dismissed after he refused to put pineapple on pizzas as it was considered an 'insult to his culture'.
Davide Tamburella was dismissed from La Costa Restaurant and Bar in Fortitude Valley on May 20.
Two weeks earlier, Mr Tamburella had a meeting with his employer to discuss 'performance concerns' including his refusal to put pineapple on pizza at a function.
Mr Tamburella confirmed at the meeting he was aware that his boss, Elliot Ingram, had directed for the tropical fruit to be placed on the Italian dish.
He refused the direction, saying he considered putting pineapple on pizza an insult to his culture and offensive to him as an Italian.
Mr Tamburella reportedly acknowledged that it was the third time in four years he had refused such a direction.
He also told his boss to research the cultural importance some Italians placed on not putting pineapple on pizza.
Other reasons given for his dismissal included an incident on April 24, when he fractured the fingers on his dominant hand after striking a metal handrail.
Italian chef Davide Tamburella (pictured) has had a workplace claim dismissed after he refused to put pineapple on pizzas as it was considered 'insult to his culture'
Mr Tamburella had a meeting with employer to discuss 'performance concerns' including his refusal to put pineapple on pizza at a function
'Your acknowledged use of inappropriate language and escalation of the situation during service,' the reasons stated.
The circumstances surrounding Mr Tamburella's departure emerged in a Fair Work Commission ruling published on November 3 by Commissioner Jennifer Hunt.
However, his challenge was dismissed after Commissioner Hunt found that the application had been lodged outside the statutory deadline.
Elliot Ingram, managing director of La Costa Restaurant and Bar, told the Daily Mail there was 'more to this story than a pizza toping.'
'As recorded in the Fair Work Commission’s published decision, refusing to follow a management direction relating to a customer request was one of several matters raised during the disciplinary process,' Mr Ingram said.
'The decision records the concerns we raised about inappropriate language, escalation during service and interactions with staff.
'Our position in the proceedings was that Mr Tamburella’s workplace injury, medical leave and workers’ compensation claim played no part in our decision to end his employment.
'The Commission dismissed his general protections dismissal application after refusing an extension to the filing deadline. It did not finally determine his claim about the reasons for his dismissal,' he said.
Davide Tamburella was dismissed from La Costa Restaurant and Bar in Fortitude Valley on May 20
Mr Tamburella has since become head chef at Don Gino in West End, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The Daily Mail have approached him for comment.