WHAT could be more memorable than a fat Glaswegian Sikh cooking dinner while telling anecdotes?

That's right – not much.

And on October 9 Exeter audiences will be invited to grab a seat and tuck in, as a guest of the celebrated broadcaster, writer and cook, Hardeep Singh, as he mixes comedy with inventive cuisine at the Northcott.

Just think Ready Steady Cook but with great cooking (Hardeep was runner-up on the first series of Celebrity Masterchef) and funny anecdotes.

Having debuted at the 2009 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where the show played to sell-out audiences, this is an extended, two-course version of The Nearly Naked Chef, combining more of Hardeep's winning talents and recipes. And he is really looking forward to sharing his food and stories in the city.

"I'm a storyteller. Everything I do is telling stories only it's on television or in books. I like engaging people," he says.

You may associate comedy with Hardeep more than you would cooking. However this is a misconception – he only performed his first stand-up comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2009.

"So many people said I was a stand up comedian I got fed up with correcting them and thought I should give it a go," he explained. "So I did my first, fully-fledged stand up show, The Really Naked Chef, at the Edinburgh Fringe.

"I've always loved food. You tend to be good at things you're passionate about."

Born in 1969, Hardeep grew up in Scotland where, while studying at law school, he worked at the Citizen's Theatre and managed various restaurants in Glasgow.

Upon graduation he was offered a job at BBC Radio Scotland and was soon chosen as one of only a handful of prestigious BBC graduate production trainees.

This was followed by a move to London's Television Centre to direct Children's TV. He then went off to series direct and present for Janet Street Porter in Manchester on Reportage. Then it was back to London to direct the RTS and BAFTA winning show It'll Never Work.

The call of the free world beckoned the erstwhile BBC boy. He jumped.

After spending some time developing and directing commercials, he gave vent to his greatest passion, that of writing. He wrote various short films, screenplays and comedies and managed to make a handful, some of which won awards.

Meanwhile he had started contributing on the radio, making most impact on BBC Radio 5 Live. He also wrote and presented a one-off documentary, In Search of the Tartan Turban for Channel 4. The show won a BAFTA. Hardeep was also commissioned to write and present a five-part documentary show with Tiger Aspect, about contemporary Britain.

This is all a long way from his original career choice.

"I was going to be a barrister. That was the plan," he said. "But law school wasn't quite what I thought and I discovered the arts. Then BBC Scotland came knocking at my door asking me to get involved and it was difficult to say no. So effectively I was head-hunted which is a bit weird when you're 20."

Hardeep is a Scottish Sikh and his colourful turbans are part of his unmistakable identity.

"I wouldn't be who I am if it wasn't for Glasgow," he said. "I believe religion is a private matter, but the morality and philosophy of Sikhism has very much made me and affects my life down to my shows.

"I give out food in the stage show which is what Sikhs do every Sunday. Sikhism has impregnated so many strands of my life."

Hardeep must have very sticky fingers because he's had them in a lot of pies over the years.

In 2007 he had a three-part series on Channel Four, £50 Says You'll Watch This, exploring gambling, participated in Sport Relief Does The Apprentice in 2008, and in 2009 he was one of five volunteers who took part in a BBC series of three programmes, Famous, Rich and Homeless, about living with nothing on the streets of London.

"I found doing the Rich and Homeless series the most life-changing thing I've ever done. I'll never be the same person again," he said.

"I was asked to do Big Brother, but I'm not interested in that, or other shows like Strictly Come Dancing. I like to do meaningful things."

Hardeep Singh Kohli chat Masala will be at The Northcott Theatre, on Sunday, October 9, at 7.30pm. Ticket details on 01392 493493.