Nilka Hendricks: From "Hell's Kitchen" to Freeport kitchen

Nilka Hendricks managed to stay out of the fire for more than half the past season of Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen." The 7th out of 16 candidates to be eliminated from the Fox Network show, Hendricks hasn't stopped cooking yet. 

Right now, she's now turning out such dishes as cilantro lime chicken and jerk rib eye at the new Retro Lounge & Grill in Freeport. The place, which opened as a bar, became a full-fledged restaurant only three weeks ago, when Hendricks joined on as executive chef.

“I love savory food that you just want to keep on eating,” Hendricks said, adding that her repertoire (which shows Southern, Latin and Caribbean influences) was designed to appeal to the diverse population of the area.  Hendricks named as a signature dish “shrimp yucca nut” —  jumbo shrimp sauteed in a butter coconut cream sauce and served with seasoned mashed yucca.

Retro Lounge & Grill is at 10 Brooklyn Ave., Freeport, 516-867-1100.