TV chef Gino D'Acampo is about to embark on his first tour. MAXINE GORDON breaks bread with him ahead of his date in York

ITALIAN fun-loving chef Gino D'Acampo has this message for fans bound for his Barbican show on Friday night: think up some good questions.

The show - part of his first UK tour - will take the format of a Q&A session plus live cooking with audience participation.

The cookery side of things should be pretty straightforward - Gino will be demonstrating recipes from his new book, Islands In The Sun.

It's the Q&A aspect that holds the X factor.

"I would like them to give me some really good questions - something that makes me think. Not: 'what do you like to eat on your holiday?'," says the 39 year old whose third series of Gino’s Italian Escape returns to telly next month Today, he's been doing back-to-back interviews with journalists to promote the tour, his book and the show.

What was the best question asked?

After some thought Gino replies: "Do you look back on your life?"

And his answer? "Yes, everyday."

That life began in Naples, where Gino belonged to a large family that ate simple, traditional recipes based on fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat.

Gino was taught to cook by his grandfather, Giovanni, who inspired him to become a chef. "My grandfather said that a good recipe doesn’t need many ingredients because if the ingredients are good quality and full of flavour, why do you have to cover up or change their taste?"

Gino came to London aged 19 to pursue his culinary dreams, eventually working with Tesco on its Finest range. This led to his first TV appearance - and his flourishing career. Not only is he a best-selling cookery author and regular on the box, including Keith Lemon's Celebrity Juice, he is a restaurateur too. He is married to Jessica and they have three children, Luciano, 13, Rocco, ten, and Mia, three.

York Press:

TV chef Gino D'Acampo who will be taking questions from the audience at the Barbican on Friday

Their childhood couldn't be more different to his growing up in southern Italy. "They have everything - TV, computers, swimming pool, bicycles, and still they say they are bored. I had nothing but would never say I was bored to my father. I had pen and paper growing up, that was my entertainment."

During his evening in York, he will share recipes from his new book, which have been culled from his travels around Sicily and Sardinia.

He's poised to take any questions from the audience - vowing none will be vetted. "If somebody pays to come and see me in the theatre, they will be fans and will not want to ask anything that is hurtful," he reckons.

Gino says when he is on TV, whenever he is asked a question, he will always answer and never give a "no comment" - even if he lives to regret it later. "Sometimes I say things without thinking and that can be a problem."

In the spirit of having a warm-up, I have a go at asking him some "non-boring" questions.

Is Sheffield really his middle name?

"Yes. I am an idiot. I had a bet with Keith Lemon on the last series of Celebrity Juice that if I did something and lost I would have to change my middle name to Sheffield." He lost and has stayed true to his word and altered the name officially.

You've set lots of crazy Guinness Book of World Records (including breaking the most Christmas crackers in one minute and putting on the most jumpers in 60 seconds) but which brings most pride?

"I convinced ITV to let me walk through custard. We made 1,000 kilos of custard and created a giant custard bath - it was like a mini swimming pool." Gino now holds the official Guinness record for running across custard for the longest time.

Who would he invite to his dream dinner party?

"My grandfather because he never had the chance to see me cook; Noel Gallagher because I like his music; Jesus because I need to ask him if it is a made-up story; President Obama just to ask him what is going on over there with all the problems with guns and why they are always invading other countries and Elvis - can you imagine, all the stories this guy had?"

And finally, what would he choose for his last supper.

"I don't really care, as long as it takes a hell of a long time to eat."

Gino’s Italian Escape, York Barbican, Friday October, 30. Tickets cost £28, from the box office or by telephoning 0844 854 2757.