Comedy, curry and a Nearly Naked Hardeep Singh Kholi
HOT oil, bare flesh and a man in a turban…recipe for disaster you’d think! Not so! Everybody’s favourite Glaswegian Sikh is set to cook up a storm in the Midlands next month when he brings his hugely popular The Nearly Naked Chef tour to Wolverhampton. Think Ready Steady Cook meets Comedy Central and you’ve got yourself a night to remember. We caught up with Hardeep…fully dressed….for a quick chat about the tour…
Hardeep, thanks for speaking to us. Now you’re back with your ‘Nearly Naked Chef Tour’ – It’s a very unique tour – a bit like ‘Ready Steady Cook’ but with a bit of comedy in the mix…and no Ainsley Harriot – am I right?
Sort of! I like the challenge of cooking live on stage and not knowing what I’m cooking till the day makes it even more exciting. It feels like me and the audience are doing it together. And of course, there’s plenty of time for anecdotes and stories while the lamb grills or the aubergines roasts or the parley sauce burns!
It’s a fantastic idea – how did you come up with it?
People kept asking me when I was doing my next show, thinking that I was a stand up comedian. (I’ve never been a stand up). I thought this show combined two great loves of mine: food and people. It seemed like a lovely way to start my live career. And I also get to eat my own food every night; saves a fortune on restaurant bills!
The tour ran last year – you must be looking forward to doing it all again?
The show played to sell out crowds in Edinburgh at the Festival which was amazing. This show is very different actually, a whole load of new stories and whereas in Edinburgh there was only one course, on tour we are offering a starter and a main course. Oh yes.
There are some changes to the tour this time round like extending the shows to a two-course meal – what prompted the change?
I just love cooking so the more I can do the better and we have more time to devote to the cooking. Also, I have two chances to get it right! (Or two chances to make a dog’s breakfast)
Audience members are invited to bring in a selection of their own ingredients – what was the oddest ingredient you’ve been handed?
Haggis, black pudding and butternut squash, all on the same night, all at the same time! I threw them all in a pot with a wicked massala and crossed my fingers!
You’ve proved that you’re quite a star in the kitchen after your Masterchef experience – did you always know this or did your stint on the show bring out hidden talents?
I had always loved cooking and had always adored eating. I always felt very comfortable with food and wasn’t scared to experiment and fail. It’s through failure that we learn most, and cooking is no different. Masterchef allowed my love and interest of food to explode to a whole new level in a completely life-changing way.
Your mum must be proud – a son who can cook!
I’m a very proud son. My mums great!
You’ve got a couple of dates in the Midlands – Leicester & Wolverhampton. As you know we’re quite proud of our curry….how would you rate it out of 10?
I love the curries down Ladypool Road. It’s not just the food it’s the Brummie people I love. A good friend of mine lives in Wolverhampton so I’m hoping she’ll show me a good place to eat!
Finally if you had to give up one – cooking or comedy – which would it be?
Comedy. Sorry!
Check out Hardeep’s tour dates for The Nearly Naked Chef UK Tour at www.hardeeplive.com
Want to Win a pair of tickets to The Nearly Naked Chef show at Wolverhampton’s Arena Theatre on April 1st? It’s no April Fools Joke! Click here!
