The Reading / Listening - Pizza - Level 6

An Italian chef in Brisbane, Australia, has been fired for refusing to put pineapple on pizzas, among other reasons. He went to the Fair Work Commission to fight his dismissal, but failed to get his job back. The chef stated that topping pizzas with the tropical fruit was an "insult to his culture". He claimed he was sacked from a restaurant in May after repeatedly refusing his boss's instructions to make pineapple and ham pizzas for diners. His employer contended that the refusal was one of several workplace issues. The commission rejected the chef's application because it was submitted after the deadline. The chef has since found a job at another Italian restaurant.

The question of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is a controversial one. It continues to divide public opinion. Pizza purists are aghast at the idea, but it is an established menu staple in many countries. The Hawaiian pizza was reportedly invented in Canada in 1962 after a chef used ham and pineapple as toppings. The restaurant owner expressed his opinion on it. He admitted that while the pizza was not his "absolute favourite," he would not "turn his nose up at it". Many restaurateurs insist that customers should be free to enjoy whatever ingredients and toppings they choose. Although the Hawaiian pizza is popular internationally, many Italians regard it as "culinary heresy".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Pizza - Level 4  or  Pizza - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.nine.com.au/australia-news/italian-chef-sacked-for-refusing-to-put-pineapple-on-pizza-20261106-p61bwv.html
  • https://www.theguardian.com/food/2026/nov/05/italian-chef-sacked-refusing-pineapple-on-pizza-australia-fair-work
  • https://www.euronews.com/2026/11/06/an-insult-to-his-culture-italian-chef-loses-job-after-refusing-to-put-pineapple-on-pizza


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about pineapple on pizza. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       chef / being fired / pineapple / pizza / toppings / tropical fruit / insult / culture / job /
       controversial / public opinion / pizza purists / menu staples / ingredients / heresy
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. A PIZZA NO-NO: Students A strongly believe putting pineapple on pizza is a culinary no-no; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. "CULINARY HERESIES": How bad are the possible "culinary heresies" in the table? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.


Possible culinary heresies

What You Think

Would It Taste Good?

Pineapple on pizza

 

 

Mayonnaise on sushi

 

 

Milk in green tea

 

 

Spaghetti sandwiches

 

 

Parmesan on seafood

 

 

Eating hummus with a spoon

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. PINEAPPLE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "pineapple". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. PIZZA TOPPINGS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Pineapple
  • Anchovies
  • Sweetcorn
  • Grilled chicken
  • Salami
  • Chocolate
  • Mushrooms
  • Mashed potato

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. fired a. Money paid to someone for selling something.
      2. commission b. A rude or unkind thing said to someone.
      3. dismissal c. Made someone leave their job.
      4. insult d. Saying no to do something.
      5. claimed e. Said that something was true.
      6. refusing f. A written request for a job or place on a course.
      7. application g. The act of making someone leave their job.

    Paragraph 2

      8. controversial h. Something that is strongly against accepted beliefs or ideas.
      9. purists i. A basic food that people eat often.
      10. aghast j. To say strongly that something must happen or be done.
      11. staple k. Causing people to have very different opinions.
      12. insist l. People who want something to be done only in the traditional way.
      13. culinary m. Related to cooking or food.
      14. heresy n. Very shocked or surprised.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. A chef in Austria refused to put pineapple on pizzas in a restaurant.     T / F
  2. The chef said pineapple on pizza insulted his culture.     T / F
  3. The chef tried to get his job back at the restaurant.     T / F
  4. The chef has been unemployed since getting the sack.     T / F
  5. Pineapple on pizza is a controversial issue in the culinary world.     T / F
  6. Pizza lovers are aghast at the idea of putting pineapple on pizza.     T / F
  7. The restaurant owner would not turn his nose up at pineapple on pizza.   T / F
  8. The article says many Italians think pineapple on pizza is delicious.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. fired (US)
  2. dismissal
  3. insult
  4. rejected
  5. deadline
  6. question
  7. aghast
  8. expressed
  9. absolute
  10. culinary
  1. shocked
  2. time limit
  3. turned down
  4. cooking
  5. firing
  6. communicated
  7. sacked (UK)
  8. definite
  9. issue
  10. affront

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. failed to
  2. an insult
  3. the refusal was one of several
  4. it was submitted after
  5. The chef has since
  6. It continues to divide
  7. Pizza purists are aghast
  8. he would not turn his nose
  9. enjoy whatever ingredients and
  10. Italians regard it as culinary
  1. heresy
  2. found a job
  3. at the idea
  4. to his culture
  5. toppings they choose
  6. the deadline
  7. up at it
  8. get his job back
  9. workplace issues
  10. public opinion

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
tropical
diners
since
insult
submitted
fired
dismissal
issues

An Italian chef in Brisbane, Australia, has been (1) _________________________________ for refusing to put pineapple on pizzas, among other reasons. He went to the Fair Work Commission to fight his (2) _________________________________, but failed to get his job back. The chef stated that topping pizzas with the (3) _________________________________ fruit was an "(4) _________________________________ to his culture". He claimed he was sacked from a restaurant in May after repeatedly refusing his boss's instructions to make pineapple and ham pizzas for (5) _________________________________. His employer contended that the refusal was one of several workplace (6) _________________________________. The commission rejected the chef's application because it was (7) _________________________________ after the deadline. The chef has (8) _________________________________ found a job at another Italian restaurant.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
nose
invented
question
heresy
controversial
expressed
aghast
ingredients

The (9) _________________________________ of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is a (10) _________________________________ one. It continues to divide public opinion. Pizza purists are (11) _________________________________ at the idea, but it is an established menu staple in many countries. The Hawaiian pizza was reportedly (12) _________________________________ in Canada in 1962 after a chef used ham and pineapple as toppings. The restaurant owner (13) _________________________________ his opinion on it. He admitted that while the pizza was not his "absolute favourite," he would not "turn his (14) _________________________________ up at it". Many restaurateurs insist that customers should be free to enjoy whatever (15) _________________________________ and toppings they choose. Although the Hawaiian pizza is popular internationally, many Italians regard it as "culinary (16) _________________________________".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  fired for refusing to put pineapple on pizzas, ______
     a.  among other reason
     b.  among other reasons
     c.  among another reasons
     d.  among others reasons
2)  The chef stated that topping pizzas with the tropical fruit ______
     a.  was an insulin
     b.  was a non-salt
     c.  was an insult
     d.  was an in salt
3)  after repeatedly refusing his boss's instructions to make pineapple and ham ______
     a.  pizzas for diners
     b.  pizzas for dines
     c.  pizzas four diners
     d.  pizzas ford dinners
4)  His employer contended that the refusal was one of ______
     a.  severe all workplace issues
     b.  several workplace issue
     c.  several works place issues
     d.  several workplace issues
5)  The commission rejected the chef's application because it was submitted ______
     a.  utter the deadline
     b.  afore the deadline
     c.  after the deadly line
     d.  after the deadline

6)  The question of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is ______
     a.  a controversy all one
     b.  a controversial one
     c.  a controversy one
     d.  a controversially one
7)  Pizza purists are aghast at the idea, but it is an ______
     a.  established menu stable
     b.  established menu's table
     c.  established menu staple
     d.  establish menu staple
8)  while the pizza was not his "absolute favourite," he would not turn his nose ______
     a.  up pat it
     b.  uppity it
     c.  up at it
     d.  up at its
9)  customers should be free to enjoy whatever ingredients and ______
     a.  toppings they schmooze
     b.  toppings they chews
     c.  toppings they choice
     d.  toppings they choose
10)  Hawaiian pizza is popular internationally, many Italians regard it ______
     a.  as culinary heresy
     b.  as culinary hearsay
     c.  as culinary heredity
     d.  as culinary hereditary

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

An Italian chef in Brisbane, Australia, has been (1) _______________________________________________ to put pineapple on pizzas, among other reasons. He went to the Fair Work Commission to (2) _______________________________________________, but failed to get his job back. The chef stated that topping pizzas with the tropical fruit was (3) _______________________________________________ his culture". He claimed he was sacked from a restaurant in May after repeatedly refusing his (4) _______________________________________________ make pineapple and ham pizzas for diners. His employer contended that the refusal was one of (5) _______________________________________________. The commission rejected the chef's application because it (6) _______________________________________________ the deadline. The chef has since found a job at another Italian restaurant.

The question of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is (7) _______________________________________________. It continues to divide public opinion. Pizza purists are aghast at the idea, but it is an (8) _______________________________________________ in many countries. The Hawaiian pizza was (9) _______________________________________________ Canada in 1962 after a chef used ham and pineapple as toppings. The restaurant owner (10) _______________________________________________ on it. He admitted that while the pizza was not his "absolute favourite," he would not "turn his nose up at it". Many restaurateurs insist that customers should be free to (11) _______________________________________________ and toppings they choose. Although the Hawaiian pizza is popular internationally, many Italians regard it (12) _______________________________________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. Where did the chef go to try to get his job back?
  2. What did the chef say putting pineapple on pizza was?
  3. How often did the chef refuse to put pineapple on pizzas?
  4. How many issues did the chef's boss have with him?
  5. Why was the chef's attempt to get his job back unsuccessful?
  6. What kind of question is the issue of putting pineapple on pizzas?
  7. How do pizza purists feel about the idea of pineapple on pizzas?
  8. What was invented in 1962?
  9. What do restaurateurs believe customers should be able to choose?
  10. What do many Italians regard pineapple on pizzas as being?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where did the chef go to try to get his job back?
a) the Fairy Work Commission
b) the Work Fair Commission
c) the For-work Commission
d) the Fair Work Commission
2) What did the chef say putting pineapple on pizza was?
a) too fruity
b) an insult to his culture
c) a tropical nightmare
d) the end of pizza
3) How often did the chef refuse to put pineapple on pizzas?
a) not that often
b) every now and then
c) several times a day
d) repeatedly
4) How many issues did the chef's boss have with him?
a) two
b) loads
c) several
d) countless issues
5) Why was the chef's attempt to get his job back unsuccessful?
a) He refused to consider pineapple as a topping.
b) Making pineapple pizza was in his contract.
c) He was replaced by another chef.
d) He missed the submission deadline.

6) What kind of question is the issue of putting pineapple on pizzas?
a) a tricky one
b) an easy one
c) a controversial one
d) a straightforward one
7) How do pizza purists feel about the idea of pineapple on pizzas?
a) They are aghast.
b) They are sad.
c) They are furious.
d) They are hurt.
8) What was invented in 1962?
a) a special pizza cutter
b) deep pan pizza
c) the Hawaiian pizza
d) a pineapple pizza oven
9) What do restaurateurs believe customers should be able to choose?
a) pineapple and mango
b) ingredients and toppings
c) ham and bacon
d) chocolate and marshmallow
10) What do many Italians regard pineapple on pizzas as being?
a) culinary heresy
b) plain wrong
c) disgusting
d) cultural appropriation

Role play

Role  A – Pineapple
You think pineapple is the biggest no-no for a pizza topping. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them which of their toppings is not so bad. Also, tell the others which might the tastiest of these (and why): sweetcorn, chocolate or mashed potato.

Role  B – Sweetcorn
You think sweetcorn is the biggest no-no for a pizza topping. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them which of their toppings is not so bad. Also, tell the others which might the tastiest of these (and why): pineapple, chocolate or mashed potato.

Role  C – Chocolate
You think chocolate is the biggest no-no for a pizza topping. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them which of their toppings is not so bad. Also, tell the others which might the tastiest of these (and why): sweetcorn, pineapple or mashed potato.

Role  D – Mashed Potato
You think mashed potato is the biggest no-no for a pizza topping. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them which of their toppings is not so bad. Also, tell the others which might the tastiest of these (and why): sweetcorn, chocolate or pineapple.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'pineapple'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'pizza'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • refusing
    • fight
    • insult
    • diners
    • several
    • since
    • question
    • divide
    • menu
    • opinion
    • free
    • popular

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Pizza

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'pineapple'?
    3. What do you think of pizza?
    4. What do you think of pineapple as a pizza topping?
    5. Should the chef have lost his job?
    6. How proud of your country's cuisine are you?
    7. What things would be an insult to your country's food culture?
    8. Is Italian cuisine the best in the world?
    9. What is the best Italian dish?
    10. What are the best pizza toppings?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'pizza'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What controversies are there about food in your country?
    5. Why is pizza so popular around the world?
    6. What do you think of sweetcorn as a pizza topping?
    7. Are you a purist about any kind of food?
    8. What do you think of mayonnaise on French fries?
    9. When was the last time you turned your nose up at food?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a pizza expert?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    An Italian chef in Brisbane, Australia, has been (1) ____ for refusing to put pineapple on pizzas, among (2) ____ reasons. He went to the Fair Work Commission to fight his dismissal, but failed to get his job back. The chef stated that topping pizzas with the tropical fruit was an "insult (3) ____ his culture". He claimed he was sacked from a restaurant in May after (4) ____ refusing his boss's instructions to make pineapple and ham pizzas for diners. His employer contended (5) ____ the refusal was one of several workplace issues. The commission rejected the chef's application because it was submitted after the deadline. The chef has (6) ____ found a job at another Italian restaurant.

    The question of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is a controversial (7) ____. It continues to divide public opinion. Pizza (8) ____ are aghast at the idea, but it is an established menu staple in many countries. The Hawaiian pizza was reportedly invented in Canada in 1962 after a chef used ham and pineapple (9) ____ toppings. The restaurant owner expressed his opinion (10) ____ it. He admitted that while the pizza was not his "absolute favourite," he would not "turn his nose up at it". Many restaurateurs insist (11) ____ customers should be free to enjoy whatever ingredients and toppings they choose. Although the Hawaiian pizza is popular internationally, many Italians regard it as "culinary (12) ____".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     fiery     (b)     fired     (c)     fried     (d)     fared    
    2. (a)     another     (b)     the others     (c)     others     (d)     other    
    3. (a)     of     (b)     to     (c)     by     (d)     at    
    4. (a)     repeats     (b)     repetitive     (c)     repeatedly     (d)     repetition    
    5. (a)     that     (b)     to     (c)     what     (d)     on    
    6. (a)     since     (b)     that     (c)     thus     (d)     present    
    7. (a)     being     (b)     answer     (c)     ask     (d)     one    
    8. (a)     purists     (b)     police     (c)     clerics     (d)     jurists    
    9. (a)     was     (b)     as     (c)     that's     (d)     has    
    10. (a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     to    
    11. (a)     what     (b)     thus     (c)     that     (d)     which    
    12. (a)     hearsay     (b)     heresy     (c)     horsey     (d)     hearses

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. fight his misssdlia
    2. ocaiprlt fruit
    3. his boss's otcniunstsri
    4. the refslua was one of several
    5. rejected the chef's nppitioalac
    6. it was tstubdiem after the deadline

    Paragraph 2

    1. a costarilrnveo one
    2. Pizza purists are tshaga at the idea
    3. an established menu asplet
    4. ataesturrerus insist that
    5. dsenrgteiin and toppings
    6. culinary ryshee

    Put the text back together

    (  1  )   An Italian chef in Brisbane, Australia, has been fired for refusing to put pineapple on pizzas, among other
    (    )   and pineapple as toppings. The restaurant owner expressed his opinion on it. He admitted that while the pizza
    (    )   back. The chef stated that topping pizzas with the tropical fruit was an "insult to his
    (    )   be free to enjoy whatever ingredients and toppings they choose. Although the Hawaiian pizza
    (    )   countries. The Hawaiian pizza was reportedly invented in Canada in 1962 after a chef used ham
    (    )   culture". He claimed he was sacked from a restaurant in May after repeatedly refusing his boss's
    (    )   deadline. The chef has since found a job at another Italian restaurant.
    (    )   instructions to make pineapple and ham pizzas for diners. His employer contended that the refusal was one of
    (    )   is popular internationally, many Italians regard it as "culinary heresy".
    (    )   opinion. Pizza purists are aghast at the idea, but it is an established menu staple in many
    (    )   reasons. He went to the Fair Work Commission to fight his dismissal, but failed to get his job
    (    )   several workplace issues. The commission rejected the chef's application because it was submitted after the
    (    )   The question of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is a controversial one. It continues to divide public
    (    )   was not his "absolute favourite," he would not "turn his nose up at it". Many restaurateurs insist that customers should

    Put the words in the right order

    1. Fired   for   pineapple   pizzas   put   refusing   to   .
    2. Topping   pizzas   fruit   insult   an   tropical   was   with   .
    3. Refusing   his   instructions   make   pineapple   pizzas   boss's   to   .
    4. The   refusal   issues   was   workplace   several   of   one   .
    5. The   chef   job   another   has   since   found   .
    6. Pizza   purists   idea   aghast   are   the   at   .
    7. It's   an   established   staple   menu   countries   in   many   .
    8. The   restaurant   owner   opinion   expressed   his   on   it   .
    9. He   wouldn't   nose   turn   his   it   up   at   .
    10. Many   Italians   culinary   regard   heresy   as   it   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    An Italian chef in Brisbane, Australia, has been fired / firing for refusing to put pineapple on pizzas, among another / other reasons. He went to the Fair Work Commission to fight his dismissal, but failed / foiled to get his job back. The chef stated that topped / topping pizzas with the tropical fruit was an "insult to his culture". He claimed he was sacked / stacked from a restaurant in May after / behind repeatedly refusing his boss's instructions to / for make pineapple and ham pizzas for diners. His employer contended that the refusal / refuse was one of several workplace issues. The commission rejected the chef's application because it was submission / submitted after the deadline. The chef has thus / since found a job at another Italian restaurant.

    The question of whether pineapple belongings / belongs on pizza is a controversial one. It continues on / to divide public opinion. Pizza purists are aghast / against at the idea, but it is an established menu stable / staple in many countries. The Hawaiian pizza was reportedly inverted / invented in Canada in 1962 after a chef used ham and pineapple as / was toppings. The restaurant owner expressed his opinion on / in it. He admitted that while the pizza was not his "absolute favourite," he would not "turn his lip / nose up at it". Many restaurateurs insist that customers should be freedom / free to enjoy whatever ingredients and toppings they choose. Although the Hawaiian pizza is popular internationally, many Italians regard it as "culinary hearsay / heresy".

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    _n  _t_l__n  ch_f  _n  Br_sb_n_,  __str_l__,  h_s  b__n  f_r_d  f_r  r_f_s_ng  t_  p_t  p_n__ppl_  _n  p_zz_s,  _m_ng  _th_r  r__s_ns.  H_  w_nt  t_  th_  F__r  W_rk  C_mm_ss__n  t_  f_ght  h_s  d_sm_ss_l,  b_t  f__l_d  t_  g_t  h_s  j_b  b_ck.  Th_  ch_f  st_t_d  th_t  t_pp_ng  p_zz_s  w_th  th_  tr_p_c_l  fr__t  w_s  _n  "_ns_lt  t_  h_s  c_lt_r_".  H_  cl__m_d  h_  w_s  s_ck_d  fr_m  _  r_st__r_nt  _n  M_y  _ft_r  r_p__t_dly  r_f_s_ng  h_s  b_ss's  _nstr_ct__ns  t_  m_k_  p_n__ppl_  _nd  h_m  p_zz_s  f_r  d_n_rs.  H_s  _mpl_y_r  c_nt_nd_d  th_t  th_  r_f_s_l  w_s  _n_  _f  s_v_r_l  w_rkpl_c_  _ss__s.  Th_  c_mm_ss__n  r_j_ct_d  th_  ch_f's  _ppl_c_t__n  b_c__s_  _t  w_s  s_bm_tt_d  _ft_r  th_  d__dl_n_.  Th_  ch_f  h_s  s_nc_  f__nd  _  j_b  _t  _n_th_r  _t_l__n  r_st__r_nt.

    Th_  q__st__n  _f  wh_th_r  p_n__ppl_  b_l_ngs  _n  p_zz_  _s  _  c_ntr_v_rs__l  _n_.  _t  c_nt_n__s  t_  d_v_d_  p_bl_c  _p_n__n.  P_zz_  p_r_sts  _r_  _gh_st  _t  th_  _d__,  b_t  _t  _s  _n  _st_bl_sh_d  m_n_  st_pl_  _n  m_ny  c__ntr__s.  Th_  H_w____n  p_zz_  w_s  r_p_rt_dly  _nv_nt_d  _n  C_n_d_  _n  1962  _ft_r  _  ch_f  _s_d  h_m  _nd  p_n__ppl_  _s  t_pp_ngs.  Th_  r_st__r_nt  _wn_r  _xpr_ss_d  h_s  _p_n__n  _n  _t.  H_  _dm_tt_d  th_t  wh_l_  th_  p_zz_  w_s  n_t  h_s  "_bs_l_t_  f_v__r_t_,"  h_  w__ld  n_t  "t_rn  h_s  n_s_  _p  _t  _t".  M_ny  r_st__r_t__rs  _ns_st  th_t  c_st_m_rs  sh__ld  b_  fr__  t_  _nj_y  wh_t_v_r  _ngr_d__nts  _nd  t_pp_ngs  th_y  ch__s_.  _lth__gh  th_  H_w____n  p_zz_  _s  p_p_l_r  _nt_rn_t__n_lly,  m_ny  _t_l__ns  r_g_rd  _t  _s  "c_l_n_ry  h_r_sy".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    an italian chef in brisbane australia has been fired for refusing to put pineapple on pizzas among other reasons he went to the fair work commission to fight his dismissal but failed to get his job back the chef stated that topping pizzas with the tropical fruit was an insult to his culture he claimed he was sacked from a restaurant in may after repeatedly refusing his boss's instructions to make pineapple and ham pizzas for diners his employer contended that the refusal was one of several workplace issues the commission rejected the chef's application because it was submitted after the deadline the chef has since found a job at another italian restaurant

    the question of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is a controversial one it continues to divide public opinion pizza purists are aghast at the idea but it is an established menu staple in many countries the hawaiian pizza was reportedly invented in canada in 1962 after a chef used ham and pineapple as toppings the restaurant owner expressed his opinion on it he admitted that while the pizza was not his absolute favourite he would not turn his nose up at it many restaurateurs insist that customers should be free to enjoy whatever ingredients and toppings they choose although the hawaiian pizza is popular internationally many italians regard it as culinary heresy

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    AnItalianchefinBrisbane,Australia,hasbeenfiredforrefusingtoputpin
    eappleonpizzas,amongotherreasons.HewenttotheFairWorkCommis
    siontofighthisdismissal,butfailedtogethisjobback.Thechefstatedtha
    ttoppingpizzaswiththetropicalfruitwasan"insulttohisculture".Heclai
    medhewassackedfromarestaurantinMayafterrepeatedlyrefusinghis
    boss'sinstructionstomakepineappleandhampizzasfordiners.Hisemp
    loyercontendedthattherefusalwasoneofseveralworkplaceissues.Th
    ecommissionrejectedthechef'sapplicationbecauseitwassubmittedaf
    terthedeadline.ThechefhassincefoundajobatanotherItalianrestaura
    nt.Thequestionofwhetherpineapplebelongsonpizzaisacontroversial
    one.Itcontinuestodividepublicopinion.Pizzapuristsareaghastattheid
    ea,butitisanestablishedmenustapleinmanycountries.TheHawaiianpi
    zzawasreportedlyinventedinCanadain1962afterachefusedhamandp
    ineappleastoppings.Therestaurantownerexpressedhisopiniononit.H
    eadmittedthatwhilethepizzawasnothis"absolutefavourite,"hewould
    not"turnhisnoseupatit".Manyrestaurateursinsistthatcustomersshou
    ldbefreetoenjoywhateveringredientsandtoppingstheychoose.Altho
    ughtheHawaiianpizzaispopularinternationally,manyItaliansregardit
    as"culinaryheresy".

    Free writing

    Write about pineapple on pizza for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Pineapple should never be used as a pizza topping. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA: Make a poster about pineapple on pizza. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. INGREDIENTS: Write a magazine article about chefs being allowed to experiment with the ingredients of any dish. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on pizza. Ask him/her three questions about pineapple on pizza. Give him/her three of your opinions on it. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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