Street, who operates several Portland establishments including Fore Street and Street & Co., appeared on stage with his management team to dedicate the honor to his 340 employees. He argued that the industry relies heavily on dishwashers and cooks from South and Central America, labeling the federal practice of detaining these individuals as a "despicable" policy that ignores the contributions these workers make to their communities.
Restaurateur Dana Street Denounces Administration’s Immigration Raids
Accepting the 2026 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur in Chicago, Dana Street used his platform to condemn the federal government's treatment of immigrant restaurant staff. The Maine-based owner characterized the administration's recent enforcement actions as a targeted campaign to hunt down and deport essential kitchen workers.
His comments follow a period of heightened activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Portland. Under directives from President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, federal operations have expanded beyond major hubs like Los Angeles and Minneapolis into smaller cities. Street urged the American public to confront their own role in supporting these policies, calling for a broader national reflection on the human cost of current enforcement strategies.
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