Chef Damu, the Padma Shri-winning chef and Cooku with Comali judge, died at 72 after a period of ill health. Known for promoting Tamil cuisine, he held three Guinness records, authored cookbooks, and trained thousands of cooks, including workers in Tamil Nadu’s midday-meal scheme. Renowned chef Damodharan, also known as Chef Damu, died on Sunday at the age of 72 following a prolonged period of ill health.