The meatloaf will remain but the chef will be different: after some eight years, Alan Demick is leaving Simon’s Marketplace in Chester. A group of about 20 friends gathered last week to wish Demick well and talk about fond memories both of meals at Simon’s and of Demick himself. Simon’s regular Jill Butler organized the event.

“You know what I love, his words of wisdom. He’s extremely thoughtful,” said Kris DiErrico.

Don Hanson recalled that after being away for six months this winter, when he came back to order lunch at Simon’s, Demick didn’t miss a beat—”The regular?” he asked—and Hanson got his meatloaf.

Monique Hanson said she usually ordered another familiar dish, the salmon.

“I’ll have to change my diet,” said Gordon Van Nes, a consistent lunch companion for Don Hanson and another meatloaf man.

“I’m really going to miss him. He’s a fantastic chef,” said Sam Chorches, a breakfast regular.

Paul Mikulak, whose breakfast is usually a huevos rancheros wrap, added, “He’s one of those characters who comes into your life and makes it interesting.”

Demick is going to East Hartford to open a new corporate café in an office building housing a number of different tenants. The building is only 15 minutes from his home in East Hampton, and the job has something many restaurant workers can only dream about: a Monday to Friday schedule. That will leave weekends for Demick’s favorite pastime, fishing.

Demick learned about the position from his wife who works in the building where the café will be located. He has a gastronomic goal for his new project.

“I want people to say they can’t believe they bought these dishes in a café,” he said.

As he looks forward to new beginnings, Demick will miss Simon’s.

“It’s a big part of me and it’s been great,” he said.

Jim Reilly, who owns the restaurant, commented for the record that he hopes to close the eatery for several days for staff training and site renovation so that Simon’s will be better than ever, with new menu offerings.