Meet our team
Our Story
Where Chicago Grit Meets Louisiana Soul
Resilience, roots, and reinvention—one plate at a time.
Chef Tre didn’t set out to be a chef. As a child on the South Side of Chicago, he spent time in the kitchen with his grandmother, Viola—a Chicago Public Schools nutrition manager whose legendary butter cookies were just one of the many lessons she passed down. Over the stove, she taught him more than recipes—she taught life skills, resilience, and the value of feeding others.
He lost her at a young age. Life took unexpected turns, and eventually, he found himself at a crossroads. It was then that he returned to the lessons he had learned in her kitchen, rediscovering his passion for food. Culinary school followed, then years of rising through the ranks as an executive chef.
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Tre launched Tre’s Street Kitchen in Louisiana. What started as a bold vision has since grown into an award-winning food service powerhouse, earning national recognition from the NFL LIX Super Bowl Program, Kraft Heinz, Amazon, Urban League of Louisiana, Baton Rouge Business Report, and most recently, Aramark, a global food service company.
Led by CEO Tremaine Devine and CXO Kristen Smith, Tre’s Street Kitchen is more than a food company—it is a family-owned, nationally acclaimed brand redefining campus dining, corporate catering, and stadium concessions. With a dedication to bold flavors, deep community roots, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence, Tre’s Street Kitchen has built a reputation for delivering high-quality culinary experiences. From its signature Tre’s Street Sauce to high-impact partnerships, the company continues to set new standards in the food service industry.
Meet the COFOUNDERS
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Cofounder, Chef
Raised by his grandparents, Chef Tremaine Devine learned to cook at a very young age. His grandparents felt it was important to learn everyday skills, so they had him watch the preparation of meals every Sunday before church.
Growing up on the Southside of Chicago, Chef Tremaine had to overcome many adversities. What was meant to be a story of rejection, turned into a story of redemption. Tremaine has since dedicated his life to building a legacy for his family. He wanted to get back to what his grandparents originally taught him –– making good food. This is how Tre’s Street Kitchen ® came to be.
Tremaine studied at Louisiana Culinary Institute, and has experience as an Executive Chef at The Little Village located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He also had the privilege of studying under chefs Ryan Andre, John Lundin, and Darrell Harris.
Since his initial launch, Chef Tremaine’s visionary insights, coupled with a love and passion for food, has earned him local recognition and national awards, including recognition from Kraft-Heinz J.P. Morgan Chase and as a 2024 People to Watch in the Capital Region.
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Cofounder, Chief Experience Officer
Throughout her college years and beyond, Kristen's discerning palate and innate talent for curation catapulted her to the upper strata of Yelp, where she quickly earned the esteemed title of the go-to authority for bespoke lists of culinary hotspots. It was through these immersive experiences that her passion for food and inclination for creating unforgettable moments flourished, ultimately propelling her towards a path of leadership and entrepreneurial success.
Now, as the Chief Experience Officer, Kristen seamlessly merges her certification in project management with a plethora of accolades recognizing her strategic planning prowess. Her unwavering commitment to operational excellence ensures a consistent journey from inception to the end user, whether they're patrons at Tre’s Street Kitchen or esteemed corporate clients.
Kristen is more than just a culinary enthusiast; she's a visionary who thrives on crafting immersive experiences and leaving lasting impressions on all who cross her path.