Chicken parmigiana is a pub classic across Australia – but the nation remains divided over one fiery question: is it a ‘parmi’ or a ‘parma’?
G Flip, who goes by they/them pronouns, sparked the long-standing debate after revealing their all-time favourite pub feed was a ‘parma’.
During a visit to an Australian pub called Old Mates in New York, the Melbourne-born singer-songwriter was asked to name their go-to pub meal order.
‘It’s definitely a parma,’ they said.
As Aussies are known for shortening words, chicken parmigiana has developed many variations – the most common being ‘parmi’ and ‘parma’.
The difference between ‘parmi’ and ‘parma’ comes down to which state you’re from. Victorians typically refer to the pub meal as ‘parma’ while those from NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia call it ‘parmi’.
G Flip’s one-word answer prompted an amusing yet heated discussion among Aussies, with one pointing out: ‘Mate, it’s a parmi.’
‘You can pick she’s a Victorian… it’s PARMI! Not a parma. And while we’re at it, it’s potato scallop, not potato cake,’ another shared, laughing.
G Flip, who goes by they/them pronouns, sparked the long-standing debate after revealing their all-time favourite pub feed was a ‘parma’
‘OK. We’re gonna have this chat now. It’s PARMI, not PARMA,’ one weighed in.
‘The great Aussie debate… “parma” or “parmi”? It’s parmi for me,’ another added.
‘Definitely from Melbourne when you say “parma”. The rest of Australia says “parmi”,’ one chimed in.
Victorians quickly jumped to G Flip’s defence, with one sharing: ‘So glad G Flip got the ‘parma’ pronunciation right.’
‘Parmas all day,’ another shared.
‘Parma is a Melbourne thing… I live here on the Gold Coast and still say “parma”, they don’t like it though,’ one former Victorian resident revealed.
It seems the debate never settled, with the Australian National Dictionary Centre adding more fuel to the fire after confirming in 2022 that both ‘parmi’ and ‘parma’ had been added to its list of Australian food terms.
Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews weighed in on the chicken parmigiana debate in 2018, insisting the ‘correct’ term is ‘parma’.
G Flip has been living in the US after marrying former Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause
During the amusing interview, G Flip – who has been living in the US after marrying former Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause – revealed they were stunned to find chicken salt, another Aussie classic, at Old Mates in New York.
‘I was pleasantly surprised when I had my parma and chips here… and there’s chicken salt here on the chips,’ they said.
‘How good.’
When asked what their favourite pubs were in Australia, G Flip said Hotel Esplanade (The Espy) in Melbourne and Love Shack in country Victoria.
‘I’ve got a few favourite pubs but ones that come to mind is The Espy and Love Shack in Castlemaine,’ they shared.
Elsewhere, they revealed their go-to beer is a Carlton Draught.
