DINNER WITH INDIA'S FIRST TAMIL PADMA SHRI CHEF DAMU

CHEF DAMU SPILLS THE BEANS ON HOW HE INFUSES INNOVATION AND CULINARY MAGIC TO CREATE LIP-SMACKING SPECIALTIES

- BY NAMITA GUPTA

GRT Hotels and Resorts hosted a special collaboration recently with Chef Damu, a culinary legend known for his Padma Shri Award and Guinness World Record achievements for hosting the longest cooking marathon show. We caught up with the Chef, who is also the brand ambassador for Bazaar, GRT's renowned multi-cuisine restaurant as he showcased a rich tribute to the diversity of Tamil cuisine.

You come from humble beginnings. How did the Padma Shri come about?

Actually, last year in 2023, I tried applying for it, but I didn't get it. And then in 2023, again I applied. And in first shot I got a call for verification in September. So I was very happy and very positive. Since my code was 001 number one, I thought I'll get it. But till the end, I didn't know I had won it because, they announced the winner on 25th of January. By the time they announced it was around 9.30 and I had slept off. Chef Sanjeev Kapoor called me and said, Chef Damu, you won the Padma Shri award.

I woke up and then I switched on the TV in my hotel room. I could see the announcements on all the channels. My face was all over the media. So it was really a dream come true. I don't have the right words to describe how I felt at that moment. I was so happy. And then after that, from 1 o'clock until 4, all the Press people came to visit me. And then that became the winning moment. I was addressing the press non stop after that and it was an unforgettable moment for me. I believe when you're born as human being, you must do something creative. There should be something that people remember you for eternity. That thought also motivated me to set the Guinness record. I've also done a lot of service to the Tamil Nadu government.