An Italian chef has reportedly been fired from a restaurant in Brisbane, Australia, after refusing to put pineapple on a pizza, describing the topping as an insult to his culture.

According to BBC News, the chef lost his job after declining to prepare the pizza with pineapple, a controversial topping that has long divided pizza lovers.

The incident highlights a longstanding culinary debate over whether pineapple belongs on pizza, particularly among Italians who regard traditional pizza-making as an important part of their cultural heritage.

The chef, identified as Davide Tamburella, was dismissed from La Costa Restaurant and Bar on May 20 after repeatedly refusing his employer’s instructions to serve ham-and-pineapple pizza.

The dispute included a request from a customer organizing an event worth more than 15,000 Australian dollars. Tamburella maintained that putting pineapple on pizza was offensive to Italian culture.

However, the restaurant said other workplace concerns also contributed to his dismissal, including inappropriate language and conduct during service.

Tamburella challenged his dismissal before Australia’s Fair Work Commission, but his application was rejected because it was filed after the legal deadline. The commission did not determine whether his refusal to use pineapple justified his dismissal.

The chef has since found work at another Italian restaurant, where pineapple pizza is not on the menu.

Source: Antigua News Room Italian Chef Fired After Refusing to Put Pineapple on Pizza.