Chef Damu, popular ‘Cooku with Comali’ judge, dies at 72

Renowned chef and television personality Dr K Damodharan, popularly known as Chef Damu, has died aged 72. He was widely recognised for his television appearances, his role as a judge on Cooku with Comali and a Guinness World Record achievement that saw him cook 617 dishes in a single continuous session.

Chef Damu set the record in December 2010, cooking for 24 hours, 30 minutes and 12 seconds. The feat showcased his range as a chef and became one of the defining milestones of his career.

For generations of Tamil television viewers, Chef Damu was a familiar face who made cooking accessible through his programmes. His engaging presentation style and culinary expertise also made him a popular judge on Vijay TV’s Cooku with Comali, where he was known for combining professional knowledge with humour and encouragement.

His career extended beyond television. A trained hospitality professional, he earned a PhD in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from the University of Madras in 2004. He also wrote cookbooks, conducted culinary workshops and mentored aspiring chefs.

In 2025, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri for his contribution to culinary science and gastronomy.