A chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant passed away after a boulder struck her during a hiking trip in Hawaii with her boyfriend, her family has reported.

Gianna Buzzetta, age 26, was hit by falling debris on March 23, 2025, while visiting Makaleha Falls waterfall in Kauai with her boyfriend, Connor Quinton, who was noted as her “soon-to-be” fiancé.

Buzzetta, the executive pastry chef at Jeune et Jolie restaurant in Carlsbad, California, was fulfilling a long-held desire to visit the waterfall on the island when the incident occurred.

“They heard a really loud noise. [Quinton] looked up, but couldn’t figure out where the noise was coming from. Within a second, it happened,” said her father, Sal Buzzetta, to 10News. “The rock dislodged from quite a ways up … then it landed on her.”

Quinton managed to remove Buzzetta from the water to a safer location but could not find cell service in the remote area. He ran nearly three miles to seek assistance, according to family members.

By the time first responders arrived, Buzzetta was unconscious and had a significant head injury. The Kauai Fire Department arranged for her to be airlifted to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries the following day on March 24.

Her parents were able to travel to Hawaii to bid farewell before her passing.

“She had told her boyfriend, Connor, that day, he had fulfilled her dreams and it was the best day of her life,” stated her mother, Caty Buzzetta.

The hike held significant meaning, as family members suggested Quinton might have been planning a proposal during their trip. An online fundraiser described Buzzetta as a “girlfriend/soon-to-be fiancé,” though it did not confirm any proposal plans for the vacation.

Buzzetta’s culinary career was notable. As the executive pastry chef at Jeune et Jolie, she contributed to the French restaurant’s acquisition and retention of Michelin stars for three consecutive years.

Her supervisor, John Resnick, highlighted her as an essential team member, commending her work ethic and creativity. Colleagues expressed admiration for her professional capabilities and personal character.

Buzzetta’s path in the culinary field included education at the Culinary Institute of America and positions at acclaimed restaurants such as Spago and Patina before joining Jeune et Jolie, where she quickly became vital to the kitchen team.

Outside of her professional life, Buzzetta was recognized for her selflessness and compassion, volunteering at animal rescue shelters in her spare time.

Her sister, Kalie, has initiated a fundraiser on Give Send Go to help cover medical costs, emergency transport, funeral services, and memorial arrangements. The campaign had raised over $46,000 by early April.

The Southern California culinary community has shown support for Buzzetta’s family. Jeune et Jolie announced a special dinner service to honor her, with all proceeds benefiting her family during this time.

Buzzetta was remembered as determined, humorous, and passionate about her culinary work and outdoor activities. Her unexpected death has left a gap in the restaurant and the broader culinary community that valued her skills.

The restaurant released a statement in her memory, acknowledging the “joy, intensity, and love” she brought to her work and colleagues. Her balance of creativity and precision helped establish Jeune et Jolie as a leading dining destination in Southern California.

Buzzetta is remembered by her family as a “precious daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, granddaughter, girlfriend, friend, Christian, and gifted executive pastry chef,” leaving a legacy of culinary innovation and personal kindness that impacted many during her 26 years.