Damodharan Kothandaraman, popularly known as Chef Damu, has been conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his exceptional contributions to the culinary arts. The announcement was made on Saturday, sparking a wave of congratulatory messages from across the nation.
Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai extended his congratulations on X, “Congratulations to Tamil Nadu’s pride, Thiru ‘Chef’ Damodaran avl, on behalf of @BJP4TamilNadu, for being awarded the Padma Shri. We thank our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl for bestowing this greatest honour on him, who has been touching people’s hearts through his outstanding culinary skills.”
Renowned chef Sanjeev Kapoor also expressed his joy on social media, tweeting, “Heartiest congratulations to Chef Damu on receiving the Padma Shri, so well deserved! It gives me immense pride and joy to see chefs being recognized with such prestigious honors. @chefdamu”
Heartiest congratulations to Chef Damu on receiving the Padma Shri, so well deserved! It gives me immense pride and joy to see chefs being recognized with such prestigious honors. @chefdamu pic.twitter.com/54i9rxWSOM
— Sanjeev Kapoor (@SanjeevKapoor) January 25, 2025
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Who Is Chef Damu?
Chef Damu is a celebrated Indian chef and television personality, known for his expertise in Tamil Nadu cuisine. He has hosted and judged numerous cooking shows, including the popular Tamil reality show Cooku with Comali on Star Vijay. He has also authored several cooking books.
Chef Damodaram excels in mastering the spice-rich Chettinadu cuisine and Chennai’s flavourful seafood dishes to the traditional pure-vegetarian Brahmin fare. In 2010, he earned a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.
In 2012, Chief Damu helped in the making of world’s longest dosas measuring 14.7 metres. He has also made 6,000 kilos of biryani, according to a report on Greaves India.
Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the first Indian chef to receive a Ph.D. in Hotel Management and Catering Technology, awarded by the University of Madras in 2004.
Chef Damu’s Padma Shri honour not only recognizes his culinary excellence but also highlights the growing acknowledgment of chefs as cultural ambassadors who bring India’s diverse flavors to the world.
