Celebrity chef Thamu, a Padma Shri awardee and Guinness World Record holder, died on Saturday morning (Oct 25) following illness. He had been undergoing treatment for the past week at a private hospital in Chennai, but did not respond to treatment.
Born Damodharan, Thamu built a long career in the culinary world, working in star hotels across India and showcasing a wide range of global cuisines. In 2010, he set a Guinness World Record by preparing 617 different dishes in 24 hours, 30 minutes and 12 seconds.
He also earned recognition in academics, becoming the first Indian chef to receive a doctorate in Hotel Management and Culinary Arts Technology from the University of Madras in 2004. The Union government later honoured him with the Padma Shri for his contributions to the field.
Beyond kitchens, Thamu became a familiar face on television as a judge on cooking shows, including serving as the chief judge on Vijay TV’s popular “Cook with Comali,” which further boosted his public profile. He also appeared in a few films such as “Kallappadam” and “Oru Pakka Kadhai,” and acted in a web series.
His mortal remains are being kept for public homage at his residence in Kodambakkam, Chennai.
