Our History

In the Beginning

Chef April Austin began her career in high school working at the small cafe in her hometown of Garretson, SD called the Red Roost Cafe. It was there where she began as a cook/waitress and eventually began baking cookies and pies for the cafe. She enjoyed cooking and baking there and especially loved listening and talking to the local farmers who would come in for their breakfast and coffee.

After high school graduation, Chef April moved to Mitchell SD and attended Mitchell Technical Institue for Culinary Arts. While in school she worked for Chef Louis in Mitchell as a cook and continued working there following graduation. After a couple of years, she longed to be closer to home and decided to move back home to Garretson with plans to eventually move to Sioux Falls. It was then she began working at The Downtown Club in Sioux Falls, which was a private members-only restaurant located in the Shriver building.

Chef April eventually made the move to a brand new restaurant being built on the south side of Sioux Falls called C.J Callaways. She began her career there as a line cook. At C.J Callaways she held many positions in the kitchen and eventually the owner, Mr. James Olson, built her a kitchen exclusively for her use to bake desserts for Pinnicle Hospitality's four restaurants and custom cakes and deserts for clients. Chef April left C.J. Callaway's when the restaurant closed in January 2019, after 20 years of fond memories and LOTS of cakes!

Cakes and Confections by Chef April

After C.J. Callaway's closed, Chef April decided to sieze the opportunity and open her own business and Cakes and Confections by Chef April was born. Located on the east side of Sioux Falls she was able to partner together with Chef Jeni and Company for kitchen space and open her own business. Chef April specializes in cakes of all kinds, Wedding Cakes, Birthday Cakes, Anniversary Cakes as well as desserts for Christmas parties, Graduations, Retirement parties, or just because.

Chef April is able to deliver and set up your Wedding Cake within the Sioux Falls area free of charge. Delivery fees outside the Sioux Falls area vary based on the distance.

Cakes - Confections - Celebrations

In July 2022, Chef April decided to expand her business! Together with her husband Chef Nick, she moved out of her shared kitchen space to open her own Event Center! The new location can serve up to 50 guests and has been newly remodeled in a classic black and white theme allowing clients to add their own splash of colors. In addition to Chef April's delicious cakes and desserts, clients can also serve their guests with a delicious meal prepared by both Chef April and Chef Nick.

Chef Nick and Chef April met while working together at C.J. Callaways and eventually were married at C.J. Callaways in an outdoor ceremony in their beautiful back patio gazeboo.

Chef Nick started his food service career as a dishwasher at Casa del Rey in Sioux Falls when he was 14 years old. He was promoted to line cook and prep cook at Casa del Rey. When they closed Chef Nick moved to Big Fred's restaurant and was eventually promoted to Supervisor. When they closed in 1999, Chef Nick began working at C.J. Callaways as a prep cook, line cook and worked his way to become the Executive Chef at C.J. Callaways. Eventually Chef Nick was given the responsiblity of overseeing all the kitchen staff for Pinnicle Hospitality's four restaurants. He is currently a Food Supervisor at Avera Health in addition to partnering with Chef April.

cakes@bychefapril.com