It’s hard to know where to start with Hardeep’s accomplishments. He’s a comedian, a chef, a radio broadcaster, a columnist, a filmmaker and a raconteur. He brought the common touch to Newsnight Review and Glaswegian geniality to Celebrity Masterchef. And now, as if that’s not enough, he’s on tour. The ‘Nearly Naked Chef’ show arrives at the Lakeside Arts centre on May 12th.
What can we look forward to in the show?
Hopefully you can look forward to some laughter, some stories,and certain members of the audience get a plate of curry at the end of the evening. It connects together my love of food, my love of storytelling, my love of entertainment,with some humour and some thought.
Do you find it difficult to cook on stage and perform at the same time?
That’s a bit like asking a mother if she finds it difficult to look after her children. I love cooking and I love talking and if you think about it, it’s what we all do in our kitchens. Our friends come round and we cook and chat. This show is an extension of that.
Who inspired your love of cooking?
My Gran and my parents really inspired me in terms of my family. But equally I was up in Nottingham a few weeks ago at the Sat Bains restaurant and that was absolutely incredible. You’re spoilt – he’s one of the best in the country. Obviously Jamie Oliver who has genuinely moved the food game on. And people like Angela Hartnett are massively inspirational because of the simplicity of what they do. But there again, anonymous chefs in anonymous places, that no one would have heard of, who have joyfully fed me. It’s the whole gamut really.
Do you think learning to cook is important for today’s young people?
I would suggest we make cooking mandatory for all children from the age of 14. There’s an absolute link between those who cook and those that eat healthily. You become aware of the different nutritional components to food and you can make informed decisions about what you choose to eat. Also, I don’t think we’re patriotic enough when it comes to British produce. We’ve got some of the best food in the world, and we’re still bringing in products from other countries. I don’t see the logic in that. So when you’re teaching kids to cook you’re teaching them about their communities.
You’re also in demand as a motivational speaker?
Yes and I’m humbled that people think anything I’ve got to say is of interest. For me it’s all about getting in contact with people. If I can speak about any issue with a little authority it’s because of what people share with me. I’m as motivated by the people who hire me as they are by me.
You made a documentary about Scientology. Why do you think such an unusual faith has been so successful?
Well, if you work backwards from the notion that the youngest global religion is in fact Sikhism, which is 300 years old, then there’s no religion that’s been created in a post-industrialised world. So there are challenges that industrialisation has thrown to us in terms of belief, and also in the last 300 years there have been more breakthroughs in science. No religion is up-to-date with its ability to apply science to its philosophy and thought. But ultimately, whatever you believe in, as long as you not harming anyone and it works for you, is a matter for you and your private beliefs.
I believe we’ve allowed the corporation of religion across all religions to dominate. I think religion is about an individual’s relationship with their maker. The reason we require mass following of religion basically is revenue raising. I mean how many Catholics are starving in Africa or South America, and how many riches are there in the Vatican? If Jesus were alive today he would be overturning the tables in the Vatican, he would be on the protestor’s side of the barriers, not with the Catholic Church’s hierarchy. Similarly if Mohammed was around today do you think he’d be standing next to the guy who’s burning poppies? No he wouldn’t.
Didn’t you go to a Catholic school? Did that shape your world-view?
There are big issues I have with Catholicism but at its heart it’s about goodness, looking after your fellow human being. I think individuals that follow religion are generally well-motivated people, and the individuals who taught me were teaching me what they believed to be right. There’s a lot of crossover between the Jesuits who taught me and the Sikhism of my heritage. They believe in looking after the downtrodden, in social justice. How can you not be inspired by that?
You’re something of a polymath, but do you see yourself first and foremost as a writer?
I tend to describe myself as a storyteller really. I wouldn’t call myself a comedian; other people call me that. If I can tell my stories through the Independent on Sunday or The Spectator or a book or a blog I’m happy. It’s about connecting with human beings.
What advice would you give young people starting out today who want to break into radio or journalism?
Radio is a useful place to work and journalism is a beautiful endeavour. I think giving yourself as wide a base of experience as possible is the best idea. I don’t have much time for media studies courses. You don’t need to study the media you need to study the world, because that’s what you do when you become a journalist or a broadcaster. What’s more, follow your passion and be honest to yourself, because that’s the person you lie down with a the end of the day. We need a lot more truth in our world.
Are you passionate about radio?
You take everything else away from me and leave my radio and I’ll die a happy man. There’s an intimacy about the radio that television seldom captures. I genuinely feel that broadcasting is speaking to one person. (Of course that’s because probably I am!) And I do believe we have the finest radio in the world in this country. And the best pictures are on radio. It’s a joy to make, and some of our best minds work in radio.
How well do you know Nottingham?
I have a lot of family and friends around the region. The Lakeside date is due to lobbying from Nottingham people. Also I’ve filmed in Nottingham a lot and it’s a great university town, with great cricket and with a vibrant Asian community. The music scene is interesting. I remember grime and garage kicking off in Nottingham and the whole dub step thing. And what with all the young folk there I really do get a sense of energy.
Read Ian Douglas's review of The Nearly Naked Chef.
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