Cooku with Comali fame Chef Damu dies at 72; Vijay pays tribute

K. Damodaran, widely known as Chef Damu, died in Chennai at the age of 72 due to a brief illness on October 25, 2026. He was survived by his wife Usha and daughter Akshaya, a doctor residing in London. Born in 1954 in West Mambalam, Damu developed a passion for cooking from a young age and aspired to build a career in catering. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin extended condolences to the family of Chef Damu.

A recipient of the Padma Shri, Damu set a Guinness World Record in 2010 for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. He prepared a staggering 617 dishes (190 kg of food) within 24 hours, 30 minutes, and 12 seconds. Damu had a successful career in the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) and later achieved a B.Com and MBA degree. He hosted cooking programs on various channels and served as one of the judges on the popular television series 'Cooku With Comali'.

Damu's influence extended beyond television, as he was associated with the Government of Tamil Nadu in the implementation of the mid-day meal scheme during 2008 and 2011. His exquisite taste and dedication to Chettinad cuisine made him an inspiration for many young individuals to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. Chef Venkatesh Bhat, a close friend of Damu, highlighted Damu's impact on the culinary world and his role as the president of the South Indian Culinary Academy.

Fellow 'Cooku With Comali' guest musician Binny Krishnakumar remembered Damu fondly, sharing how his daughter Sivangi had grown to view him as her own father figure.