Chef Damodharan, affectionately known as Chef Damu, sadly passed away on Sunday at the age of 72 after battling ill health. He was a Padma Shri awardee and a respected figure in the culinary world, but many Tamil viewers knew him as the friendly judge on the popular show Cooku with Comali. His journey was truly inspiring – he started as a dishwasher in restaurants and climbed his way to becoming one of India’s most celebrated chefs, earning a Guinness World Record along the way. Chef Damu didn’t just cook; he mastered hotel management too, becoming the first Indian chef to hold a PhD in the field from the University of Madras. Over the years, he became a household name in Tamil Nadu through various cooking shows, but it was his warm presence on Cooku with Comali that won hearts, as he guided contestants with humor and expertise. Recently, fans noticed his absence from the semi-finals of Cooku with Comali Season 7, and he later shared in a video that he missed the later stages due to a leg injection, though he assured everyone he was okay. Reports indicate he had been using a wheelchair for some time following a hip fracture and knee surgery. His passing is a significant loss for Tamil television and the culinary community, but his legacy of skill, achievement, and the genuine warmth he brought to the screen will endure.
