Chef Damu
{{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|3|3}}
| birth_place = Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Chef, Television personality
| known_for = Television cooking shows, Guinness World Record
| awards = Padma Shri (2025)
}}
Dr. 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.{{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}}
He is also known for being the first Indian chef to receive a Ph.D. in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, awarded by the University of Madras in 2004.{{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}}
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.{{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}}
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.{{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}}
Recognition
In 2025, Chef Damu was conferred the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contributions to culinary science.{{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}}{{cite web |title=Padma Awards 2025 announced |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2096285 |website=PIB India}}{{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}}
Film and Television Appearances
= Films =
- Kallappadam (2015)
- Ulkuthu (2017){{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}}
- Oru Pakka Kathai (2020)
- Server Sundaram (TBA)
= Web Series =
- Kalyanam Conditions Apply (2018)
= Television =
- Arusuvai Neram – Jaya TV
- Dhe Chef – Mazhavil Manorama
- Athu Ithu Yethu – Cameo appearance{{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}}
- Chocolate – Cameo appearance
- Cooku with Comali – Seasons 1 to 6 {{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}}{{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}}
- 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:People from Tamil Nadu