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Hardeep Singh Kohli is a victim of his own success. Having had some considerable TV exposure recently Hardeep is performing to sell out houses in the Gilded Balloon Teviot Debating Hall. His show entitled ‘Hardeep Singh Kohli - The Nearly Naked Chef’ encourages audience members to bring ingredients.  It appears not many people are doing this but on night two of us took ingredients. One lady had a bag full of spring onions, various peppers, herbs, and a pork fillet. I on the other hand took sausages and bacon.  During the show he made both a risotto and cooked the fillet with the peppers whilst chatting about his life and telling jokes. At the end we were invited up to the table of love to eat the meals. Bad move on his part as we wanted to share and needed a spoon interrupting his finale.

Sadly I can't say how this finale looked from out front but I was giving the delicious food all my attention whilst trying not to look at the audience. Whilst I can’t say he is a great comedian I can say that the show is an experience and the food was absolutely fabulous. Oh Hardeep can I have some more please?

Review by Jackie Maxwell

What to make of a Glaswegian Sikh in a lilac turban cooking food! The stage is subtly lit with only a table set for dinner. The curtains open to reveal Hardeep stood behind a cooking station bare chested with only a lilac turban on. He is welcomed to great applause, he then steps out from behind the counter to reveal a subtle dark coloured kilt and a pair of smart trainers. He engages with the audience, telling anecdotal stories about his childhood and touching briefly on his current life and events surrounding the One show. The object of the show is for members of the audience to bring along food so Hardeep can cook for them. As only myself and one other lady had any ingredients, he used those and duly at the end of an entertaining show, invited us onto the stage to partake of the food. As we sat enjoying a lovely meal he closed out the show. A different type of show but very enjoyable. As the audience filed out we were asked if we had enjoyed the food, a resounding success by both of us. 4 stars from me, but then I did end up on stage!

****

Hardeep Sing Kohli - The Nearly Naked Chef

Company: - Gilded Balloon 

Venue: - Gilded Balloon Debating Hall V 14

Dates: - 5 to 31 August 2009 (not 6,18 )

Times: - 19.00 to 20.00

Fringe Programme Page: - p56   (C33)