CHENNAI, Oct. 26 -- Padma Shri recipient chef and television personality K Damodaran died on Sunday in Tamil Nadu due to ill health and age-related complications. The 72-year-old culinary expert, popularly known as Chef Damu, was conferred Padma Shri in 2025. He won the Guinness World Record in 2010 for cooking 617 dishes in a continuous session of 24.5 hours. Extending deep condolences, chief minister C Joseph Vijay said: "The passing of the famous culinary artist K Damodaran brings profound grief and sadness. Through his culinary mastery, unique approach and television appearances, he brought the art of cooking to the general public." "Damu's demise is a great loss to the culinary field. I express my deep condolences and sympathies to his bereaved family, relatives, friends, and fans who love culinary arts." Damu, who began his journey washing dishes, rose to become a celebrated figure in the Indian culinary landscape. His exceptional contributions to the culinary arts earned him the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2025. In December 2010, he etched his name in the Guinness World Records by cooking 617 dishes in a continuous session lasting over 24 hours," CM Vijay added. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said recalled Damodaran joining his party as a founding member in 2013....