In Chennai, the aroma of loss lingers as the beloved culinary maestro K Damodaran, known worldwide as Chef Damu, passed away on October 25.
He cut his teeth at the Institute of Hotel Management, Chennai, before moving on to the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. From a trainee to a household name, his journey was as seasoned as his dishes.
The year 2010 will forever echo in kitchen silence. Chef Damu cooked 617 dishes, weighing 190 kg, over 24 hours, 30 minutes and 12 seconds – a Guinness World Record that still makes gourmands gasp.
But the record wasn’t his only culinary escapade. In Madurai, he sliced a 14.7‑metre dosa, and in Singapore he helped whip up the world’s largest curry. The world watched, the cameras rolled, and the audience cheered.
The show that cemented his legacy on TV was Cooku with Comali. For a generation of Tamil viewers, his whisk‑wielding energy on the set was as addictive as the recipes he served. He brought the art of cooking to living rooms across the state.
Chief Minister C. J. Vijay’s tribute on X was a somber note in the fanfare. He called the chef a “renowned culinary artist” and recalled his world‑record marathon and Padma Shri award. His words underscored how the culinary arts had lost a true luminary.
As the state mourns, fans keep his memory alive by sharing his videos and recreating his dishes. The next chapter will see his legacy carried forward by his protégés, but the kitchen will never taste the same without Chef Damu’s spirited flair.