Hello, Happy (Working) Mama: Heather Dewar Cook
Dewar’s fourth generation leader on family legacy, motherhood, and finding balance.
by Callie Collins
Dewar’s fourth generation leader on family legacy, motherhood, and finding balance.
by Callie Collins
Oct 29, 2026
Present generations of the Dewar family, with children and spouses.
Back row: Steve Cook, Heather Dewar Cook, Dylan Cook, George Dewar, Michael Dewar (Heather’s brother), Marley Dewar, Tonya Dewar (wife of Michael Dewar), Dax Dewar. Front Row: Katie Rose Cook, Barbara Cook and Beverly Stanton (twin sisters of George Dewar). Photo credit: Photography by Ryanne
Heather Dewar Cook, business owner and part of the corporate family team, recognizes its authentic appeal.
“Having a family-run business for this many years is a rarity anymore,” said Heather, who acknowledges Dewar’s staying power. “Quality can’t be compromised. We don’t change the recipe or cut corners.”
Exceptional employees, including a long-serving management team, are another factor to the Dewar’s legacy of signature candy, chocolate and ice cream.
Heather Dewar Cook. Photo courtesy of Heather Dewar Cook
Dewar’s has grown from about 40 employees when Heather started to now more than 100 workers across four locations: the historic downtown location and manufacturing center (1120 Eye St.) and since Heather’s tenure, a northwest location known for its singing animatronic moose, party rooms and fun decor (2700 Calloway), plus two drive-thru locations, Dewar’s Express (11320 Ming Ave, #300), and Dewar’s Express at The Ranch (16123 Stockdale Hwy, Ste. #100).
Heather herself grew up in the business, and her father, George C. Dewar, still goes to work every day at age 83. Having family on-site continued for that next generation, too.
“My kids grew up in a candy store,” said Heather, only half-jokingly.
Heather and her husband, Steve Cook, met on a blind date; he’s now retired from a career as a painting contractor. They’ve been married since 2003 and are the parents of Katie Rose, 22, and Dylan, 21. Katie Rose recently graduated college and will soon be stepping into the family business, while Dylan is a junior studying business management at Chico State.
Heather planned to take three months of maternity leave when Katie Rose was born.
“I think I made it to her third week of life and came back to work,” said Heather. “She came to work with me every single day. I needed that, for me. I like working, social interaction and being in the business.”
Heather hired help and converted an office storage room into a nursery. Dylan was born 16 months later.
Left to right: Dewar’s fifth generation, Dylan Cook and Katie Rose Cook with their cousins, Marley and Dax Dewar. Photo credit: Photography by Ryanne
Heather recognized the challenges motherhood brings, particularly with children born so close together.
“Friends would describe motherhood as wonderful and amazing and it is, but for any woman, it’s a change, emotionally and hormonally. There’s sleep deprivation and exhaustion. I remember feeling so alone in the middle of the night and thinking, ‘Am I the only one that feels this way?,’” she recalled.
Although nothing changed how much Heather loved her children, she recognized a void in the conversation.
“I remember asking my friends, ‘Why didn’t you tell me? It’s not all wonderful and amazing all the time.’ It’s hard,” she said. “Realistically, you’re on 24/7. Moms need to know it’s normal to have those feelings. You have a lot to navigate. Know that you can find balance but everyone gets there at a different pace.”
These days, Heather can be found handling day-to-day administrative issues, traveling between business locations as needed.
Family picture: Dylan, Katie Rose, Heather and Steve. Photo credit: Photography by Ryanne
When she’s not at work, Heather can be found cooking dinner, playing in the backyard with the family’s golden retriever, Shaver, or spending time with family. Even so, she urges recognizing the paradox between the highs and lows of parenting.
“Raising children isn’t easy; there are struggles in every single phase but there are also joys in every single one,” she said. “Find your happy place, where there's a happy medium.”
Q&A with Heather Dewar Cook
Q. What should families in the Kern County area know more about in their community?
A. There is loyalty in our community and people continue to give back in Bakersfield. There’s a sense of community here, which people from other areas say is unique, a special kind of support.
Q. What is your parenting PSA?
A. Your kids don't need a perfect parent. They need a present one.
Fill-in-the-blank questions:
Q. Favorite local restaurant: Luigi's
Q. Best book you've read lately: AJ Docker series by Gary Gerlacher
Q. Favorite musical genre: Country
Q. Best advice you have to share so far: Find a balance of work and family. You don't get time back and, most importantly, you don't want to have any regrets. Count all your blessings. Try to be happy.
