Invented in the 1950s by ex-Navy chef Nico Harris at his Middlesbrough restaurant, The American Grill Parmo was inspired by Escalope Parmesan.
A fried chicken escalope topped with béchamel sauce and cheddar cheese, it was soon copied by other restaurants and takeaways, becoming part of North East culture, especially on Teesside. Traditionally served with garlic mayo and a token side salad.
Smoggy Foods now make the nostalgia of the original dish available as a right proper chicken parmo flavour crisps.