Chef Damu

Dr. Damodharan Kothandaraman, professionally known as Chef Damu, is an Indian celebrity chef. He has hosted numerous cooking shows and reality cooking competitions in various Tamil language television channels, most notably serving as a judge on Cooku with Comali which was telecast on Star Vijay. In 2010, he received a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. He became the first Indian chef to receive a Ph.D in Hotel Management and Catering Technology. His doctorate was awarded by the University of Madras in 2004. He has made a few appearances in Tamil films. He has played a significant role in popularizing South Indian cuisine both domestically and internationally, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the culinary world.

Career
In December 2010, Damodharan cooked 617 dishes consisting of 190 kilograms of food in a day. He began cooking at 8 o'clock in the morning on 21 December and cooked for a period of 24 hours, 30 minutes, and 12 seconds. Chef Damu authored several cookbooks, sharing his recipes and culinary insights with a wider audience. His books became bestsellers, attracting readers who were eager to learn authentic South Indian cooking techniques from a master chef.

In addition to his television appearances and cookbooks, Chef Damu conducted numerous culinary workshops and demonstrations. These workshops provided aspiring chefs and cooking enthusiasts with hands-on experience and practical knowledge, helping them improve their culinary skills. Damodharan was also a judge at The Hindu's Our State Our Taste competition for 15 cities in Tamil Nadu.

Films

 * Kallappadam (2015)
 * Ulkuthu (2017)
 * Oru Pakka Kathai (2020)
 * Server Sundaram (TBA)

Web series

 * Kalyanam Conditions Apply (2018)

TV Series

 * Dhe chef (Mazhavil Manorama)
 * Athu Ithu Yethu (Cameo appearance)
 * Chocolate (Cameo Appearance)
 * Cooku With Comali season 1
 * Cooku with Comali season 2
 * Colors Kitchen
 * Cooku with Comali season 3
 * Cook with Comali season 4
 * Cooku with Comali season 5