'Multitude of factors' behind firing of chef who refused pineapple on pizza

The owner of a Brisbane restaurant that fired a chef who refused to put pineapple on a pizza says it was not the "one defining factor" behind the decision.

Italian chef Davide Tamburella made headlines after he lodged an unfair dismissal claim, alleging it was offensive to his culture to put pineapple on a pizza.

The claim was knocked back by the Fair Work Commission this week.

Mr Tamburella was fired from the now-closed La Costa restaurant in Fortitude Valley in May, following a meeting with management.

La Costa owner Elliot Ingram said on social media that there were a "multitude of different factors" that went into the decision to fire Mr Tamburella.

"It did contribute to the overall decision of termination, based on a customer's request that we thought was reasonable, but it was more about the other things in the background that were happening."

In its ruling released this week, the commission noted it was the third time in four years that Mr Tamburella had refused the request.

It also noted that reasons for his dismissal included his "acknowledged used of inappropriate language" and "ongoing concerns regarding leadership behaviour, professionalism".

Mr Ingram said the request was from a customer who was celebrating their birthday at the restaurant.

"Being in Australia, having pineapple on pizza is very common," he said.

"With Italians they're very traditional when it comes to their food, especially pizza.

The commission also heard Mr Tamburella had injured his hand and fractured two bones in his right hand after he struck a metal handrail while at work.

The commission found Mr Tamburella had submitted his application more than 21 days after being fired and did not find exceptional circumstances allowing for an extension of time.