CARLSBAD, Calif. (KSWB/KUSI) – Gianna Buzzetta wasn’t a rising star in the culinary world; she was at the top of the game.

At 26, she was helping to win Michelin stars for Carlsbad’s Jeune et Jolie for three years as an executive pastry chef.

The restaurant community is grieving the loss of a cherished colleague after Buzzetta passed away in an unexpected accident while hiking with her boyfriend in Kauai, Hawaii, last week.

”We all heard the news, and it was obviously paralyzing, and not knowing what to do,” said John Resnick, the owner of Jeune et Jolie.

Resnick says Buzzetta was one of the best of them.

“She was an integral part of the team — immensely creative, exceptionally talented, and incredibly diligent. She embodied the traits we admire in our coworkers: humility, confidence, and a magnetic personality,” Resnick expressed. “Our entire team truly enjoyed collaborating with her.”

The loss is incomprehensible, but Resnick says the Buzzetta family has a bond extremely powerful and rare.

“Hearing them talk about her makes me want to be a better dad, just like the relationship they have with her is incredible,” Resnick said.

Resnick mentioned that due to the extraordinarily high rescue and medical expenses, the Buzzetta family could use all the support they can get. As a gesture of solidarity, his team plans to open on Monday, April 7, and will donate all proceeds to help cover the costs.

“This time I think it’s like coming together to celebrate the relationships that people had with Gianna. If you didn’t know her, you can still come in and support the family,” Resnick said.

The dinner service starts at 5 p.m. and runs through the evening, with last seating at 9 p.m.

A donation fund has been set up for Buzzetta.