Chef Damu: key obituary facts
Is Chef Damu dead? Yes. Chef Damu died on October 25, 2026, at age 72.
Cause of death: Chef Damu's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Chef Damu known for?
He was an Indian chef.
More about Chef Damu
Born: 1 January 1965.
Gender: male.
Occupation: film actor.
Occupations: Chef, Television personality.
Known for: Television cooking shows, Guinness World Record.
Damodharan Kothandaraman, professionally known as Chef Damu, an Indian celebrity chef and television personality, died October 25, 2026, aged 72.
Born in Chennai, he became a familiar presence on Tamil-language television, hosting cooking programs and judging shows, including Star Vijay’s Cooku with Comali. In December 2010, he set a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, preparing 617 dishes weighing 190 kilograms during a continuous session that lasted 24 hours, 30 minutes and 12 seconds.
His work also extended to culinary education: the University of Madras awarded him a Ph.D. in Hotel Management and Catering Technology in 2004, making him the first Indian chef to receive that degree. In 2025, he received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in recognition of his contributions to the culinary arts. Across his television career, Damu combined cooking demonstrations with the judging and hosting roles that brought his work to audiences through popular Tamil programs. His record-setting marathon and long-running television presence made him one of the best-known chefs in Indian entertainment and food programming.