We Aussies have a long tradition of shortening the names of things. G’day. Barbie. Arvo. Macca’s. But when it comes to that beloved pub-grub staple, chicken parmigiana, it seems we’re a nation divided. 

A few years back, Arnott’s Shapes released chicken parmigiana-flavoured Shapes that came in a box with ‘chicken parmi’ on one side, and ‘chicken parma’ on the other. Rather than keeping everyone happy, it set off a social media war between #TeamParmi and #TeamParma. (This writer is firmly on the latter, thank you very much. You can send your hate mail care of this address.) Even poor old #TeamParmy got in on the action. It was great publicity, and neatly concealed the fact that the biscuits tasted nothing like chicken parmigiana at all. 

Now, Smith’s is wading into the debate, releasing chicken parmigiana-flavoured chips in a packet that clearly errs on the side of Team Parmi. Outrageous. I’m calling my MP.

Whether the chips taste like a chicken parma is debatable, but this small detail pales in comparison with the question of what they should be called. Perhaps it’s time for a referendum, to settle this hot-button issue once and for all. 

The chips will be available for a limited time only from all major grocery and convenience outlets.

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