Celebrity chef Damu passes away; departed is culinary expert who gained fame through 'Cooku with Comali' 

CHENNAI: Celebrity chef Damodaran Kothandaraman (72), widely popular through his television shows, passed away Sunday morning while undergoing treatment for illness. Known affectionately as Chef Damu, the nation had honored him by conferring Padma Shri award in 2025.

He is also a culinary expert who set a Guinness World Record by cooking the most number of dishes (617) in a single day. In 2010, he prepared these 617 dishes in 24 hours, 30 minutes, and 12 seconds. He was a judge on Vijay TV's reality show 'Cooku with Comali'.

Damodaran was born on September 3 in 1954. He completed his Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Chennai, and began his career in 1977 with the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. He was the first Indian chef to obtain a PhD in Hotel Management from the University of Madras.

He leaves behind his wife Usha Damu and daughter Akshaya.