Chef Damu, Padma Shri Awardee, Dies at 72

K. Damodharan, popularly known as Chef Damu, died in Chennai on 25 October 2026 at the age of 72. He received the Padma Shri in 2025 for his contribution to culinary arts and was a judge on the Tamil television programme Cooku with Comali.

Education and Professional Career

Born in Tamil Nadu on 3 September 1954, Damodharan completed a diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology at the Institute of Hotel Management, Taramani, Chennai. He later earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Madurai Kamaraj University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Madras. He received a PhD in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from the University of Madras in 2004 and was the first Indian chef to earn that qualification.

Damodharan entered teaching in 1986 and headed three Chennai institutions: Asan Institute of Hotel Management, MGR Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, and Empee Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology. He also presented cooking programmes on Tamil television channels, including Raj TV, Pothigai, Jaya TV and Vijay TV.

Culinary Work and Records

Chef Damu specialised in Tamil Nadu cuisine, particularly Chettinad cuisine. He authored 17 cookbooks for home cooks, containing 2,700 recipes, and four books for catering students. In 2010, he set a Guinness World Record for the longest individual cooking marathon by preparing 617 dishes, weighing 190 kilograms, in 24 hours, 30 minutes and 12 seconds. His other records included a long dosa made in Madurai in 2012 and a large curry prepared in Singapore in 2014.

Public Service and School Meals

In 2008 and 2011, Damodharan worked with the Government of Tamil Nadu on the midday-meal scheme. He helped develop meal preparations for 1.68 crore schoolchildren and trained 1.4 lakh midday-meal workers across 32 districts. He also trained catering students and supported vocational training for members of self-help groups.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Padma Shri is India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
• The University of Madras was established in 1857.
• Chettinad cuisine is associated with the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu.
• The Guinness World Records recognises record achievements across a range of categories.

Padma Shri and Culinary Recognition

The Padma Awards comprise the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, in descending order of precedence. Damodharan received the Padma Shri in 2025 and the Culinary Legend Award from the World Tamil Organization in 2021.

Chef Damu authored 21 books across home cooking and catering education. His school-meal work included training food workers and developing recipes for children in Tamil Nadu.