Maine restaurateur Dana Street wins James Beard Award
The Portland Press Herald • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Dana Street, founder of several popular Portland restaurants including Fore Street and Scales, won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur, recognizing his team's hard work and dedication.
- Thomas Takashi Cooke of Portland's Izakaya Minato was a finalist for Best Chef: Northeast, though the award went to Evan Hennessey of Stages in Dover, New Hampshire.
- In his acceptance speech, Street praised his employees, many of whom are immigrants, and criticized the Trump administration's immigration policies for their negative impact on the restaurant industry.
- The 2026 James Beard Awards featured seven semifinalists from Maine, highlighting the state's growing culinary recognition despite no finalists advancing in 2025.
- Street also honored his late business partner Victor Leon, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind his success.
