Chef Damu

Chef Damu
Born
Damodharan Kothandaraman

(1954-09-03)3 September 1954
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Died25 October 2026(2026-10-25) (aged 72)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Other nameDamu
OccupationsChef, Television personality
Known forTelevision cooking shows, Guinness World Record
AwardsPadma Shri (2025)

Damodharan Kothandaraman (3 September 1954 – 25 October 2026), professionally known as Chef Damu, was an Indian celebrity chef. He was known for hosting numerous cooking shows and serving as a judge on popular Tamil language television programs, most notably Cooku with Comali on Star Vijay. He holds the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, achieved in 2010. In recognition of his contributions to the culinary arts, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2025.

Damu was also known for being the first Indian chef to receive a Ph.D. in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, awarded by the University of Madras in 2004.

Career

In December 2010, Chef Damu cooked 617 dishes weighing a total of 190 kilograms over a continuous cooking session that lasted 24 hours, 30 minutes, and 12 seconds.

Damu authored several cookbooks and conducted culinary workshops to promote traditional South Indian cuisine. He also served as a judge in food competitions such as Our State Our Taste conducted by The Hindu across various cities in Tamil Nadu. He later headlined as a judge with Chef Venkatesh Bhatt on Cooku with Comali, an amateur cooking competition produced by Vijay TV between 2019-2022.

Death

Chef Damu died in Chennai, on 25 October 2026, at the age of 72.

Recognition

In 2025, Chef Damu was conferred the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contributions to culinary science.

Film and television appearances

Films

Web series

Television

References

  1. ↑ "Meet Chef Damodharan: Tamil Nadu's culinary maestro who was felicitated with Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu". Times Now News. 27 January 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  2. ↑ Umachandran, Shalini (11 July 2009). "Chef Damu's Recipe For Success" (PDF). The Times of India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2020 – via cookatease.com.
  3. ↑ Vijayakumar, Chithira (22 December 2010). "Damu's day-long dhamaka!". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  4. ↑ Kannadasan, Akila (31 August 2019). "How chef Damu went around Tamil Nadu in 60 days". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  5. ↑ "Cooku with Comali judge chef Damodharan passes away at 72". The Times of India. 25 October 2026. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
  6. ↑ "பிரபல சமையல் கலைஞர் பத்மஸ்ரீ செஃப் தாமு காலமானார்" [Renowned culinary expert Padma Shri Chef Damu has passed away]. Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 25 October 2026. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
  7. ↑ "Padma Awards 2025: 139 Distinguished Personalities Conferred Prestigious Awards, 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan And 113 Padma Shri; See Full List". The Times of India. 25 January 2025.
  8. ↑ "Padma Awards 2025 announced". PIB India.
  9. ↑ "Padma Award Winners 2025 Full List". Bru Times.
  10. ↑ "Chef Dhamu to make his Kollywood debut?". The Times of India. 10 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "Chef Dhamu on Adhu Idhu Yedhu". The Times of India. 28 November 2015.
  12. ↑ "Cook with Comali Season 6 set to premiere soon; here's all you need to know about the show". The Times of India. 25 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
  13. ↑ "Cooku with Comali Season 5 Grand Finale: Priyanka Deshpande lifts the trophy, wins cash reward Rs 5 lakh". The Times of India. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2025.