A promising culinary talent, who was an integral part of a Michelin-star restaurant, tragically lost her life in an unexpected accident during a hiking trip in Hawaii. Gianna Buzzetta, 26, was fatally struck by a falling boulder on March 23 while exploring the Makaleha Falls waterfall in Kauai with her boyfriend, Connor Quinton, who was reportedly planning to propose to her soon.
According to her father, Sal Buzzetta, the couple heard a loud noise but couldn’t identify its source. In a matter of seconds, a dislodged rock from a considerable height struck Gianna. Quinton managed to move her to a safer location but had to physically seek help due to the lack of cellphone service in the area.
Buzzetta was subsequently airlifted to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries the next day. Her parents were able to reach the hospital before she passed away. The family shared that the couple had chosen to visit the waterfall as it was a lifelong dream of Buzzetta’s.
Buzzetta’s mother, Caty, shared a poignant memory of her daughter’s last day. She said that Gianna had told Quinton that he had made her dreams come true and that it was the best day of her life.
Buzzetta was an executive pastry chef at Jeune et Jolie restaurant in Carlsbad, California. She was instrumental in helping the restaurant secure Michelin stars for three consecutive years. Her boss, John Resnick, praised her as a vital part of the team, lauding her creativity, talent, and work ethic. He described her as humble and confident, and said that the entire team enjoyed working with her.
Buzzetta’s family and friends remember her as a cherished daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, granddaughter, girlfriend, and friend. She was also a devout Christian. An online fundraiser has been set up in her memory, although it does not confirm whether Quinton had planned to propose during their trip.