There are people with tattoos. And there are people with TATTOOS.
We think you’ll agree that Derek Simcik deserves the capitol letters. The executive chef at Atwood Cafe in Chicago has five epic inkings that show his love of food and sense of humor.
On his neck: a tattoo of a ginormous chili pepper. “I love spicy foods. The flames around the pepper are like those on an old-school hot rod. Cars are another passion of mine,” explains Derek.
There’s also something sizzling on his foot. The tattoo of sunny-side-up eggs gives the illusion that they fell there from the pan. (We told you he had a sense of humor.)
The artistry on Derek’s forearm is no joke; it features a tattoo of a Mexican Day of the Dead skull (wearing a chef’s hat, of course) and a realistic-looking heart “[because] I wear my emotions on my sleeve,” says Derek. On the back of his forearm is a tattoo of a wooden spoon wrapped up with rice grains.
Last but not least, his bottom lip tattoo reads, simply, “D-Roc.” “It was my nickname since I was like 12 and has always stuck with me,” says Derek.
Well, Derek, that’s probably because you rock. Wait. Make that YOU ROCK.
Feast your eyes on chef Derek’s tattoos and fill up on his contemporary interpretations of classic American cuisine at Atwood Cafe, 1 W. Washington St. in Chicago (312-368-1900 or atwoodcafe.com).
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