Comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli aims to beat Indian takeaway with on-stage cookoff in South Woodford

Jessica Earnshaw, Reporter Thursday, January 31, 2013
1.28 PM

Experience comedy and live cookery on stage with television personality Hardeep Singh Kohli, who will be aiming to win over audiences with his own homemade food.

The Hackney-based comedian will try to beat one of the borough’s most popular takeaways in his new show at the Redbridge Drama Centre, Churchfields, South Woodford on Tuesday.

As part of a UK-wide tour, following on from his success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Nearly Naked Chef will attempt to cook a series of recipes inspired by his mum and his grandmother, live on stage in Indian Takeaway.

He will also order an audience member’s favourite meal. While waiting for the order to arrive he will cook two curries with side orders of delicious cooking tips and funny stories from his childhood.

The regular host of Channel 5’s popular current affairs show The Wright Stuff said: “Indian food is so popular in this country, and curry is such an incredible phenomenon that the show seemed to gel very easily.

“The audience get to try my own food which I always hope is much better than the takeaway – it’s definitely a competition.”

The show, based on his first book of the same name, which was nominated for an Independent Book Award, has led to Hardeep writing for the Observer Food Monthly and Waitrose Food Illustrated.

He added: “I meet so many incredible folk on tour, they really do inspire me to carry on. I’ve performed in Redbridge before, and they asked me straight back after the last time. It’s great, and is like a home away from home.

“Audiences change all around the country, and in some places in rural England, people have only one takeaway, and don’t know as much about food as London audiences.”

For more information and to book tickets visit www.redbridgedramacentre.co.uk or call 020 8504 5451. For a full list of tour dates visit www.hardeeplive.com. Tickets are £12.