Seven-Layer Salad

2 heads iceburg lettuce, washed, dried & chilled
1 bunch celery, washed, dried
1 1/2 cup diced green pepper
1 1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 cup cooked peas
1 can sliced chestnuts

Topping:
2 cups mayonnaise
2 tbsp. sugar
1 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
bacon bits

Pull lettuce apart and cut into bite size pieces.  Arrange in a wide bottomed bowl.  Sprinkle over salad in this order: celery, green pepper, red onion, peas, and chestnuts.  Spread mayonnaise over entire salad, sealing to the bowl on all sides.  Sprinkle with sugar, then with Parmesan cheese, and finally sprinkle crisp bacon bits over entire top.  Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

*Note, best to avoid mixing the topping into the salad in the bowl until ready to eat, as this accelerates wilting.