CARLSBAD — Gianna Isabella Buzzetta, executive pastry chef at the Michelin-starred restaurant Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad, died last month after a hiking accident on the Makaleha Falls Trail in Kapa‘a, Hawaii. She was 26.
According to the Kaua‘i Fire Department, Buzzetta, of Oceanside, was hiking with her boyfriend on March 24 when she was struck in the head by a falling rock and lost consciousness. Emergency personnel responded shortly after 2 p.m., locating her at the base of the waterfall with labored breathing and heavy bleeding.
First responders transported Buzzetta in a Stokes litter (plastic stretcher) to a landing zone at a nearby water tank, where American Medical Response paramedics continued treatment and transferred her to Wilcox Medical Center in Lihue, the second largest town on the island of Kaua’i.
She was later flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu. Despite lifesaving efforts, she did not survive her injuries.
The Coast News requested information on the official cause and manner of Buzzetta’s death from the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office, but has not yet received a response.
Buzzetta’s death has prompted an outpouring of support from the Southern California culinary community, where she was recognized for her talent, precision and creativity in pastry arts. As executive pastry chef at Jeune et Jolie, she played a key role in earning and maintaining the restaurant’s Michelin honors.
“She was a precious daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, granddaughter, girlfriend and soon-to-be fiancée, friend, Christian, and gifted executive pastry chef,” her family said. “Her light will shine through the lives she touched.”
Originally from California, Buzzetta was remembered not only for her culinary contributions but also for her compassion, sense of humor, and volunteer work with animal rescue shelters, according to friends and family.
A fundraising campaign on GiveSendGo has raised nearly $17,000 to support the Buzzetta family with medical bills, emergency travel, air transport, funeral costs, and the return of her remains to San Diego.
