Swindon & Wiltshire News
Teesside delicacy chicken parmo comes to Swindon with opening of Pizza&Co
A taste of Teesside is coming to Swindon in August with the launch of Pizza&Co, a parlour specialising in American-style pizzas, loaded pasta, loaded fries and one very special regional delicacy – chicken parmo.
Owner James Lavery has been working in the pizza business since leaving school. The pizza parlour will officially open on Wednesday, August 3 and while Pizza&Co will serve Sicilian base pizzas and a range of fresh desserts and pasta dishes, its menu has two unique selling points that set it apart.
First, it specialises in deep-pan pizzas. Second, it will offer a taste of Teesside in the form of chicken parmo – a dish which originated in James’ hometown.
“I am from Middlesbrough, a small town in the northeast of England, which isn’t really famous for much. It has the transporter bridge and a half-decent football team, but it is most well known for the chicken parmo” said James.
The dish consists of breaded chicken breast, which is deep-fried and then topped with béchamel sauce and cheese. Various toppings can then be added.
“It’s the most popular dish in Teesside and is served in every pub, restaurant, café and takeaway in Middlesbrough. Until recently, it has been predominantly found only in the northeast, but it has started to appear on menus across the UK.
“The dish has even found its way to Westminster after a local MP wrote to the chefs in the House of Commons and asked them to put it on the menu.”
Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, has taken his love for the dish further and recently launched a campaign to secure Protected Designation of Origin Status: “It is part of our history and culture we should be proud of it,” he has said.
James’ links to Swindon began when his brother was posted to the army in Wiltshire. His regular visits instilled a love of the town, its nightlife and restaurants. There was just one thing missing, chicken parmo.
“I am very proud of it, so when I was offered the premises in Swindon’s Old Town I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to introduce the pride of Teesside to the people of Swindon.”
The pizza parlour will officially open on Wednesday, August 3 when the team will be giving away free pizza slices. Once open it will serve customers from 12 pm lunchtime to 9.30 pm, six days a week.
