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{{Short description|Indian chef (born 1954)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Chef Damu
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Damodharan Kothandaraman
| other_names = Damu
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|9|3}}
| birth_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| occupation = Chef, Television personality
| known_for = Television cooking shows, Guinness World Record
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] (2025)
}}

'''Damodharan Kothandaraman''', professionally known as '''Chef Damu''', is an Indian celebrity chef. He is known for hosting numerous cooking shows and serving as a judge on popular Tamil language television programs, most notably ''[[Cooku with Comali]]'' on [[Star Vijay]]. He holds the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, achieved in 2010. In recognition of his contributions to the culinary arts, he was awarded the [[Padma Shri]], India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet Chef Damodharan: Tamil Nadu's culinary maestro who was felicitated with Padma Shri by President Droupadi Murmu |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/food/news/meet-chef-damodharan-tamil-nadus-culinary-maestro-who-was-felicitated-with-padma-shri-by-presidentdroupadimurmu-article-151548514 |website=Times Now News |date=27 January 2025 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>

He is also known for being the first Indian chef to receive a [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, awarded by the [[University of Madras]] in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Umachandran |first=Shalini |date=11 July 2009 |title=Chef Damu's Recipe For Success |url=http://www.cookatease.com/uploads/files/Chef_Damu_News.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712091601/http://www.cookatease.com/uploads/files/Chef_Damu_News.pdf |archive-date=12 July 2019 |access-date=1 August 2020 |via=cookatease.com |newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>

== Career ==
In December 2010, Chef Damu cooked 617 dishes weighing a total of 190 kilograms over a continuous cooking session that lasted 24 hours, 30 minutes, and 12 seconds.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2010 |title=Damu's day-long dhamaka! |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Damus-day-long-dhamaka/article11641437.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220234056/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Damus-day-long-dhamaka/article11641437.ece |archive-date=20 February 2020 |access-date=20 February 2020 |website=The Hindu |first=Chithira |last=Vijayakumar}}</ref>

He has authored several cookbooks and conducted culinary workshops to promote traditional South Indian cuisine. He also served as a judge in food competitions such as ''Our State Our Taste'' conducted by ''[[The Hindu]]'' across various cities in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kannadasan |first=Akila |date=31 August 2019 |title=How chef Damu went around Tamil Nadu in 60 days |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/how-chef-damu-went-around-tamil-nadu-in-60-days/article29308732.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220235848/https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/how-chef-damu-went-around-tamil-nadu-in-60-days/article29308732.ece |archive-date=20 February 2020 |access-date=20 February 2020 |website=The Hindu}}</ref>

== Recognition ==
In 2025, Chef Damu was conferred the [[Padma Shri]] by the Government of India for his contributions to culinary science.<ref>{{cite web |title=Padma Awards 2025: 139 Distinguished Personalities Conferred Prestigious Awards, 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan And 113 Padma Shri; See Full List |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/padma-awards-2025-139-distinguished-personalities-conferred-prestigious-awards-7-padma-vibhushan-19-padma-bhushan-and-113-padma-shri-see-full-list/articleshow/117558881.cms |website=The Times of India |date=25 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Padma Awards 2025 announced |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2096285 |website=PIB India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Padma Award Winners 2025 Full List |url=https://www.brutimes.com/news/social/padma-awards-2025-arijit-singh-ajith-kumar-shekhar-kapur-and-late-pankaj-udhas-honored-for-excellence |website=Bru Times}}</ref>

== Film and television appearances ==

=== Films ===
* ''[[Kallappadam]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Ulkuthu]]'' (2017)<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 August 2015 |title=Chef Dhamu to make his Kollywood debut? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/Chef-Dhamu-to-make-his-Kollywood-debut/articleshow/48422195.cms |website=The Times of India}}</ref>
* ''[[Oru Pakka Kathai]]'' (2020)
* ''[[Mrs & Mr]]'' (2025)
* ''[[Server Sundaram (upcoming film)|Server Sundaram]]'' (TBA)

=== Web series ===
* ''[[Kalyanam Conditions Apply]]'' (2018)

=== Television ===
* ''Arusuvai Neram'' – Jaya TV
* ''Dhe Chef'' – Mazhavil Manorama
* ''Athu Ithu Yethu'' – Cameo appearance<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 November 2015 |title=Chef Dhamu on Adhu Idhu Yedhu |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/Chef-Dhamu-on-Adhu-ldhuYedhu/articleshow/49957995.cms |website=The Times of India}}</ref>
* ''Chocolate'' – Cameo appearance
* ''[[Cooku with Comali]]'' – Seasons 1 to 7 <ref>{{Cite web |title=Cook with Comali Season 6 set to premiere soon; here's all you need to know about the show |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/cook-with-comali-season-6-set-to-premiere-soon-heres-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-show/articleshow/119869386.cms |website=The Times of India |date=25 May 2025 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cooku with Comali Season 5 Grand Finale: Priyanka Deshpande lifts the trophy, wins cash reward Rs 5 lakh |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/cooku-with-comali-season-5-grand-finale-priyanka-deshpande-lifts-the-trophy-wins-cash-reward-rs-5-lakh/articleshow/113807820.cms |website=The Times of India |date=11 February 2024 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* ''Colors Kitchen''

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|7207687|name=Damodharan K.}}
* [https://twitter.com/chefdamu?lang=en Chef Damu on Twitter]
* [https://www.facebook.com/DrChefDamodaran/ Chef Damodaran on Facebook]

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in "Others" Category|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Chefs of Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in other fields]]
[[Category:Cooku with Comali|+]]

Chef Damu - Revision history

Alaminsorker at 17:15, 3 April 2026