Remembering Chef Damu: How the legendary South Indian icon conquered fatigue to set a world record
Renowned culinary expert and Tamil television favourite Chef Damu, whose full name was Dr K Damodaran, has passed away in Chennai at the age of 72. Celebrated for his charming presence on popular shows such as Cooku with Comali and his lifelong commitment to promoting authentic Tamil gastronomy, his passing marks the end of a glorious era in Indian culinary history.
Renowned culinary expert and Tamil television favourite Chef Damu, whose full name was Dr K Damodaran, has passed away in Chennai at the age of 72. Celebrated for his charming presence on popular shows such as Cooku with Comali and his lifelong commitment to promoting authentic Tamil gastronomy, his passing marks the end of a glorious era in Indian culinary history.
Renowned culinary expert and Tamil television favourite Chef Damu, whose full name was Dr K Damodaran, has passed away in Chennai at the age of 72. Celebrated for his charming presence on popular shows such as Cooku with Comali and his lifelong commitment to promoting authentic Tamil gastronomy, his passing marks the end of a glorious era in Indian culinary history.
Renowned culinary expert and Tamil television favourite Chef Damu, whose full name was Dr K Damodaran, has passed away in Chennai at the age of 72. Celebrated for his charming presence on popular shows such as Cooku with Comali and his lifelong commitment to promoting authentic Tamil gastronomy, his passing marks the end of a glorious era in Indian culinary history.
A historic 24-hour culinary marathon
In December 2010, Chef Damu scripted history by setting a Guinness World Record for the longest continuous cooking marathon by an individual. Over a staggering period of 24 hours, 30 minutes, and 12 seconds, he prepared 617 distinct dishes using 190 kg of ingredients across six traditional stoves. Setting out with an initial target of 480 dishes, he maintained a remarkably swift pace from the onset, preparing 10 dishes within the first 43 minutes and reaching 20 within the hour.
Triumph over exhaustion and strict rules
The record attempt came with stringent regulations from Guinness officials. Although four assistants were allocated to help prep raw ingredients, they were strictly prohibited from participating in the actual cooking. Furthermore, modern appliances such as ovens and microwaves were completely barred, requiring every dish to be prepared by hand. By the 12th hour, severe physical fatigue and muscle aches began to set in. Seeing him struggle, around 60 staff members from Chennai's Savera Hotel gathered around the kitchen arena, singing and dancing throughout the night to boost his spirits until he successfully crossed the finish line.
A trailblazer in academia and culinary arts
Chef Damu's accomplishments extended far beyond the kitchen counter. In 2004, he became the first Indian chef to earn a PhD in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from the University of Madras. In recognition of his monumental contributions to the hospitality sector and traditional Indian cuisine, the Indian government honoured him with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2025. His legacy lives on through the countless chefs and home cooks he inspired across the globe.