Padma Shri awardee Damodharan Kothandaraman, known as Chef Damu, passed away at the age of 72. He set a Guinness World Record by making 617 dishes in one day.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleDamodharan Kothandaraman, popularly known as Chef Damu, passed away at the age of 72. Samayam Tamil recently reported Chef Damu's passing, saying the celebrated chef died after a period of ill health. Chef Damu was a celebrated culinary figure who inspired cooking enthusiasts, aspiring chefs, and television viewers with his talent.
Chef Damu was not only famous in Tamil Nadu, but he won hearts nationwide with his skills, which also led him to win the Padma Shri award. Beyond his cooking, his screen presence on a cooking reality show made him a well-known television personality in the Tamil television industry. After years of hard work, Chef Damu built a strong presence in the culinary world. If the reports are to be believed, his career began with years of working in the kitchen, where he even washed dishes.
After years of work, the well-known chef strengthened his skills and went on to become one of Tamil Nadu’s best-known culinary personalities. According to some reports, he was the first Indian chef to earn a PhD in Hotel Management from the University of Madras. He also rose to fame through his on-screen presence on Jaya TV and Star Vijay.
Chef Damu became a recognisable face on the Tamil reality cooking show Cooku With Comali. Chef Damu was also known for traditional Tamil cuisine, and he covered a wide range of regional food, including Chettinad dishes, seafood specialties, and traditional vegetarian preparations. He was not only a well-known television personality and chef, but also an author who wrote more than 20 books, helping regional cuisine reach a wider audience.
One of the most notable milestones for Chef Damu was a cooking marathon, wherein he cooked 617 dishes in a span of 24 hours and 30 minutes. This actually earned him a place in the Guinness World Records, and if the reports are to be believed, the preparations weighed 19 kg.
In 2025, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to the culinary arts. Beyond winning hearts with his screen presence, Chef Damu also showcased his skills in his YouTube videos, which helped him reach an even wider audience. From starting his career in hotel kitchens to becoming a prominent figure in the Tamil culinary world, Chef Damu was an inspiration.
Buzz about Chef Damu's death circulated earlier this year after he suffered an illness, as reported. The speculations were rife after he missed the semi-final episode of Cooku with Comali. Following the buzz, Damu took to his social media handle in a video and revealed that he could be present on the show, as he had gotten an injection in his leg. Reportedly, he had been in a wheelchair for a few months, due to knee surgery and a hip fracture. No official cause of Chef Damu's death has been disclosed as of now. In his personal life, he was married to Usha Damu, and they have a daughter named Akshaya, as reported.
We wish Damu's family strength to deal with this tough time!
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