Padma Shri chef Damu, Cooku with Comali judge, dies in Chennai

Celebrated Tamil chef and TV personality Damodaran Kothandaraman, known as chef Damu, died on Sunday in Chennai. Fellow chef Venkatesh Bhat, his friend of 15 years, confirmed the news and said Damu showed catering professionals they could earn a Padma Shri. The Cooku with Comali judge authored around 26 to 30 books and made traditional Tamil recipes famous.