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Chef Damu Dies at 72, Padma Shri Recipient

By Drooid · Oct 25, 2026, 4:11 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Chef Damu Dies

Chef K. Damodaran (Chef Damu) died on October 25, 2026 at age 72.
He received the Padma Shri in January 2025 for contributions to the culinary arts.
In December 2010 he set a Guinness World Record by cooking 617 dishes weighing 190 kg in 24 h 30 m 12 s.
Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor posted on Instagram calling Damu’s passing a huge loss to the culinary fraternity.

Summary

Chef Damu Revamps Meals

Redesigned Tamil Nadu’s school-meal program in 2008 and 2011, adding eight rice and six egg dishes for 1.68 crore children.
Served as president of the South Indian Culinary Academy, promoting regional culinary standards.
Net worth was estimated at about four million dollars (approximately Rs 33-34 crore).
Authored the best-selling “Damu’s Home Free Style Cook” with over 2,700 recipes.

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Chef Damu Dies

Chef K. Damodaran (Chef Damu) died on October 25, 2026 at age 72.
He received the Padma Shri in January 2025 for contributions to the culinary arts.
In December 2010 he set a Guinness World Record by cooking 617 dishes weighing 190 kg in 24 h 30 m 12 s.
Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor posted on Instagram calling Damu’s passing a huge loss to the culinary fraternity.

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