Determined and persistent are two words I walked away with from my conversation with Chef Nilka Hendricks, who talked to me by phone from her home in Long Island. Hendricks was recently one of 16 contestants vying for the ultimate culinary prize on the seventh season of Hell's Kitchen currently airing Tuesday nights on Fox.
A mother of three, Hendricks went into the competition hoping to showcase her skills and come out the show's winner. Although she was "cooked" during episode 10, to fans across the country she still came out a winner and a better chef because of the experience.
From the passion witnessed on screen and just by hearing her talk about food and her life as a chef, you would think that she has been doing this all of her life, but not so. In fact, she was actually pursuing a degree in nursing before changing tracks and going to culinary school. It was during the time when she was caring for her mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer that she began to contemplate changing careers and says that in the process she discovered her passion for cooking. "I always cooked but everything just came together in that moment."
Her journey to get on Hell's Kitchen actually started a few years back when she heard about casting calls online. After attending an audition, she wasn't called back at that time and her information was kept on file for future casting calls. Fast forward to 2008 and Hendricks received an email and decided to give it another try. Once there, Hendricks notes that a casting agent actually remembered her and invited her to take a personality interview which led to a trip to Los Angeles and eventually a call asking her to join the season's cast.
She says the experience "gave me the feeling that nothing is impossible, like it gave me more comfort to do what I want to do." When asked about working with Ramsey and competing under the pressure she immediately says that "it was amazing working with Chef Ramsey throughout all of the screaming and tantrums, it was a surreal feeling because it was like how many times in my life will I get an opportunity like this so I just embraced everything, I loved every moment of it." Appearing on the show has definitely helped her career as well as opened the doors to some great opportunities.
One door that has opened is her new position as the executive chef at the Retro Lounge & Grill in Long Island. The hot spot has been called a cool place with a laid-back atmosphere to enjoy her two favorite things: food and music. She notes the menu reflects the diversity of the area which is Spanish, West Indian and American. In addition to her duties as the chef in charge, she will be hosting open mic events called Food for Soul where local artists can come out and showcase their talents.
When asked about future plans and what is next, she is quick to go down her list which includes a nonprofit organization to create a support system to help teenage mothers. But she says "I know I have to conquer one to get to the next step." And I know that she will do just that.
The Retro Lounge & Grill is located at 10 Brooklyn Avenue, Freeport, NY. For more information on Chef Nilka Hendricks, visit www.chefnilkahendricks.com.
