Tragically, Gianna Buzzetta, the executive pastry chef for the acclaimed California restaurant Jeune et Jolie, passed away on March 24, 2025, following a fatal incident at the Makaleha Falls Trail in Hawaii. She was just 26 years old.
According to reports by People, Buzzetta was hit on the head by a falling rock during the outing with her boyfriend, Connor Quinton. Witness accounts suggest that the couple had heard a loud noise just moments before the incident occurred, a fact confirmed by Gianna’s father, Sal Buzzetta.
Sal recounted the moment of the accident, stating:
“He looked up, but couldn’t figure out where the noise was coming from. Within a second, it happened … The rock dislodged from quite a ways up … then it landed on her.”
Following the incident, Connor attempted to seek help, although he faced communication challenges due to poor cell service. A close family friend, Carlye Wund, revealed that Connor traveled approximately three miles on foot to find assistance for Gianna. When emergency responders arrived, she was conscious and breathing. However, despite being transported to Wilcox Memorial Hospital and later to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, Gianna succumbed to her injuries shortly thereafter.
Gianna Buzzetta: A Rising Culinary Star
Born and raised in Oceanside, California, Gianna Buzzetta nurtured her passion for baking from a young age. She honed her culinary skills through self-training before pursuing formal education at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley. Buzzetta garnered experience at multiple prestigious establishments, including Spago and Patina in Los Angeles.
Throughout her career, Gianna worked tirelessly, serving as a pastry chef at various locations such as Herringbone and Dija Mara, and made significant contributions as a corporate pastry chef at Puesto. In 2022, she began her tenure at Jeune et Jolie, where her artistry and dedication to perfection were instrumental in the restaurant achieving three Michelin stars.
In the aftermath of her untimely death, Gianna’s sister, Kalie, initiated a fundraising campaign on Give Send Go with a goal of $225,000. The campaign aims to assist the family in covering medical expenses, emergency transportation, funeral services, and memorial arrangements.
The fundraiser highlights Gianna’s legacy not only as a chef but also as a compassionate individual dedicated to community service, including volunteering at animal rescue shelters. The description of the fundraiser reads:
“Her crazy sense of humor lit up a room of laughter that was infectious. As an executive pastry chef, her dedication to perfection in artistry led her to master her talents at Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad. Together they received 3 Michelin stars over the years. She poured herself, her love, and creativity into everything she brought to the table.”
As of now, the fundraiser has raised $46,703 in support of her family, with further donations still welcomed as they endeavor to honor her memory. Details regarding Gianna Buzzetta’s funeral and memorial services have not yet been disclosed.
For more information on the fundraiser, you can visit this Facebook post or follow the updates through this YouTube link.
For further reference, you can read more about Gianna Buzzetta’s story here.