Our Story

Our Team

Joanne Bogus

Joanne Bogus is the owner of Cooks & Bakers Kitchen and a seasoned leader with more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Over the course of her career, she has held management roles in food and beverage, catering, marketing, and sales with world-renowned organizations including The Ritz-Carlton, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Hard Rock Café, and Walt Disney World. She has also guided restaurant start-ups from concept through grand opening and later founded JMB Meetings and Events, where she managed corporate and private events for a wide range of clients. Today, Joanne continues to shape the next generation of industry leaders as an adjunct professor of hospitality, tourism, and event management.

At the heart of Joanne’s career is a lifelong love for cooking, baking, and entertaining. That passion began in the kitchen with her mother, learning family recipes she still treasures and shares. Her travels across the U.S. and abroad expanded her palate, deepening her appreciation for diverse cuisines and inspiring her to experiment with new flavors. Naturally, her hospitality and event planning expertise has carried into her personal life, where she delights in creating memorable experiences for family and friends at home.

The launch of Cooks & Bakers Kitchen brings all of Joanne’s passions together—offering a place to share her knowledge, inspire others, and help home cooks discover and grow their own “Culinary Creativity at Home.”

Ann’s career has been deeply rooted in education, where she spent many years teaching English and speech to high school students, most notably in the Brandon Valley School District. Outside the classroom, Ann has always had a passion for cooking and design. She loves bringing people together—whether by testing out new recipes or creating beautiful, welcoming spaces for family and friends. With a knack for using the best cookware, bakeware, and gadgets, Ann makes entertaining both fun and effortless.

Now, she’s excited to share that passion with you—helping you learn the ABCs of cooking and designing your perfect entertaining space at home.

Kris Pearson

Kris comes to Cooks & Bakers Kitchen after more than a decade of supporting the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, where she worked closely with medical students, physicians, schedulers, chairpersons, faculty, and staff.

Her greatest joy is family—especially gathering around the table during the holidays to share meals made from cherished recipes passed down through generations.

Chef Omar Thornton is a celebrated chef in the Sioux Falls area and the former owner of O’ So Good in Garretson. His culinary expertise has been featured nationally on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri.

At Cooks & Bakers Kitchen, Chef Omar shares his passion for bold flavors through signature dishes like jambalaya, gumbo, and his award-winning chili. He also leads our exclusive “Chef Omar’s Chopped Challenge” series, where he transforms mystery ingredients into extraordinary meals.

Beyond the kitchen, Chef Omar offers private and group cooking classes, both at Cooks & Bakers Kitchen and in your home, giving food lovers the chance to learn, create, and enjoy together.

Chef Donald Napolitano – Formerly the chef and owner of Bella Cucina in Sioux Falls, Chef Napolitano brings generations of tradition to the table. With a passion for authentic Italian flavors, he loves sharing his family’s treasured recipes and teaching others how to bring them to life in their own kitchens.

Visit Us

At Cooks & Bakers Kitchen, Joanne and her team are dedicated to sharing their culinary expertise and guiding you in selecting the finest cookware, bakeware, and essential kitchen tools. With a commitment to exceptional service, we place you—our guest—at the heart of everything we do, inspiring a lifestyle enriched by the art of cooking, baking, and entertaining at home.

Culinary Creativity at Home

Our Story

Our Team

Phone 605-705-6770

info@cooksandbakerskitchen.com

Dawley Farm Village at the roundabout

5906 E 18th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57110