Chef Damu, the celebrated Tamil chef and television personality, has died at the age of 72 after being treated for illness at a private hospital in Chennai.
Known formally as K.
Damodaran, Chef Damu became one of Tamil Nadu’s most recognisable culinary figures through cooking programmes, cookbooks and his long-running television work.
His death was reported in Chennai on Sunday, October 25, 2026, and condolences followed from public figures, fellow chefs and viewers who knew him as a judge on Cooku With Comali.
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Chef Damu became a familiar face on Tamil television
Chef Damu was best known to many viewers for his role on Star Vijay’s comedy cooking programme Cooku With Comali, where he served as a judge across multiple seasons.
The format paired celebrity contestants with comedians in often chaotic kitchen challenges, while Chef Damu brought professional guidance, humour and encouragement to the judging panel.
His warm on-screen manner earned him the affectionate nickname “Damu Appa” among viewers, helping him reach audiences well beyond the hotel and culinary industries.
Before becoming a television celebrity, he built a career in hotel management, teaching and culinary education.
He began working in the hospitality sector after completing hotel-management studies and later led hotel-management institutions in Tamil Nadu.
A Guinness record and Padma Shri recognition
Chef Damu’s career included a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.
From December 21 to December 22, 2010, he prepared 617 dishes weighing approximately 190 kilograms during a continuous cooking session lasting 24 hours, 30 minutes and 12 seconds.
The record became one of the defining achievements of his public career and helped draw wider attention to Tamil and South Indian cuisine.
He also held records connected with large-scale culinary preparations, including a dosa project in Madurai and a curry event in Singapore.
In 2025, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in the culinary category for his contribution to food, hospitality and culinary education.
The official Padma Awards citation described him as a prominent chef, educator and author who had promoted traditional Tamil food and trained people in the hospitality sector.
His contribution to food education
Chef Damu’s work extended beyond television appearances and record-setting cooking events.
He earned a PhD in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from the University of Madras and was recognised as the first Indian chef to receive that doctorate.
He wrote cookbooks, developed recipes and promoted regional food traditions, with particular attention to Chettinad cuisine and other Tamil dishes.
His work also included support for Tamil Nadu’s school meal programme, where he helped improve menus and train food-service workers.
The Padma Awards citation said he had trained tens of thousands of noon-meal workers and contributed to efforts aimed at improving the quality and variety of food served to schoolchildren.
Through demonstrations, books and television, he presented cooking as both a professional discipline and an important part of cultural heritage.
Health concerns preceded his death
Chef Damu’s health had drawn public attention earlier in 2026 after he missed an episode of Cooku With Comali.
He later addressed rumours about his condition in a video message and said he was alive, explaining that a leg injection had prevented him from appearing in the programme’s semi-final episode.
He also said at the time that he had participated in the finale.
Reports of his death came several weeks later, with accounts saying he had been receiving treatment in a Chennai hospital after becoming unwell.
The circumstances of his illness have not been detailed publicly.
A lasting legacy in Tamil cuisine
Chef Damu’s career connected professional hospitality, culinary education, television entertainment and public service.
For aspiring chefs, his rise from hotel kitchens to national recognition offered an example of how culinary work could become a respected academic and public profession.
For television viewers, he was a familiar and approachable presence who made technical cooking advice accessible through humour and conversation.
His record-breaking marathon, Padma Shri and efforts to preserve Tamil food traditions will remain central to his legacy.
Funeral and memorial arrangements were expected to be announced by his family and representatives in Chennai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Chef Damu?
Chef Damu was the professional name of K. Damodaran, a Tamil chef, culinary educator, author and television personality known for cooking programmes and Cooku With Comali.
How old was Chef Damu when he died?
Chef Damu was 72 years old when he died in Chennai on October 25, 2026.
What was Chef Damu known for on television?
He was widely known as a judge on the Tamil cooking and comedy programme Cooku With Comali.
What Guinness World Record did Chef Damu hold?
He cooked 617 dishes weighing about 190 kilograms during a continuous 24-hour, 30-minute and 12-second cooking marathon from December 21 to December 22, 2010.
When did Chef Damu receive the Padma Shri?
The Government of India awarded Chef Damu the Padma Shri in 2025 for his contribution to the culinary arts.
Fact-Checked: The reported death date is Sunday, October 25, 2026, in Chennai. The cooking marathon is more precisely dated from December 21 to December 22, 2010, based on contemporary and record-history accounts. ([dinamani.com](https://www.dinamani.com/tamilnadu/2026/Oct/25/chef-damu-passes-away?utm_source=openai))
Disclaimer: Details about Chef Damu’s medical condition and funeral arrangements may be updated as further information is released by his family or representatives.