Renowned Chef Damu Passes Away in Chennai at Age 72

Chef K Damodaran, widely known as Chef Damu, died on Sunday in Chennai at the age of 72. He built a successful career in the hospitality industry before becoming a household television personality through shows like Cooku with Comali and various other cooking reality programs.

Reactions And Honors

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay expressed deep sorrow over his death in a statement on X. He noted that Chef Damu brought cooking to the public through television and mentioned his 2010 Guinness World Record for the longest individual cooking marathon. The chef was also honored with the Padma Shri award in January 2025 for his contributions to the culinary arts.

Context

Celebrity chefs in India often bridge the gap between traditional home cooking and professional culinary arts through television and live media. Honors like the Padma Shri are awarded by the Government of India to recognize distinguished service in various fields including art and literature.