Renowned Chef K. Damodaran Passes Away in Chennai at 72

UPDATE - follow-up to Chef Damu passes away at 72: Celebrated culinary expert Chef K. Damodaran, widely known as Chef Damu, passed away in Chennai at the age of 72 following a brief illness on Sunday, October 25, 2026. He is survived by his wife Usha and his daughter Akshaya, who works as a doctor in London, with his last rites scheduled for Monday afternoon. Born in September 1954 in West Mambalam to parents Kothandaraman and Kothainayaki, he pursued his passion for cooking early in life and completed a diploma in hotel management from the Institute of Hotel Management in Taramani, Chennai, before later earning a B.Com and an MBA degree.

Career and Records

He began his professional journey as a management trainee with the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation and made history as the first Indian chef to earn a doctorate in hotel management and catering technology. In December 2010, he secured a place in the Guinness Book of World Records by completing the Longest Cooking Marathon for an individual, cooking 617 dishes weighing 190 kg over a span of 24 hours, 30 minutes, and 12 seconds. Deeply passionate about regional cuisine, particularly Chettinad food, he hosted numerous television shows and served as a judge on the hit TV series 'Cooku With Comali' alongside fellow chef Venkatesh Bhat, while also leading the South Indian Culinary Academy.

Public Contributions

Beyond television, he played a key role in improving school nutrition by working with the Government of Tamil Nadu between 2008 and 2011 to implement the mid-day meal scheme. He also served as a judge for several years in The Hindu's 'Our State Our Taste' cookery competition. Recognized for his immense contributions to the culinary arts, he became the first chef from Tamil Nadu to be awarded the Padma Shri. Tributes poured in from fellow chefs, musicians, and fans who remembered him as a warm mentor and a wonderful human being.

Context

Chef Damu's passing marks the loss of one of South India's most recognizable culinary ambassadors who bridged traditional home cooking and mass media entertainment. His career helped transform catering from a conventional job into a respected and sought-after professional career path for young people across the country.