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HELLO FROM CINDY, 
THE BUSY BUTTERNUT

Chef Cynthia Hyett was born and raised in Naperville, attended NNHS, and undergraduate in Wisconsin, majoring in Exercise Science and Military Leadership.  Fitness and Nutrition were life while working in amazing locations like the WorldCom corporate headquarters, Duke University, and the White House in Washington, DC under the Bush administration.  However, even after a full 12 hour day, she would come home to cook elaborate, healthy meals for enjoyment.  She was constantly offering up meals to friends and hors d'oeuvers for parties when one of them suggested she start a catering company.  Entertaining Forkless was born in 2005! Without any real advertising, just word of mouth from the first job, it took off. 

Cynthia decided to move away from DC to attend culinary school at the famous Le Cordon Bleu in Las Vegas.  She graduated summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 GPA, was the student council president and received the highest honor given to a graduate, "Top Toque" for outstanding achievement in and out of the classroom. Upon graduation, each student must complete an internship under a certified master chef and she had the rare honor of doing hers at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, CA (yep, Mr. Hefner's home!). She is officially the only person in the world to have worked at both the White House and Playboy Mansion :)


Over the last 20 year's she has been fortunate enough to work in restaurants from coast to coast, was a Private Chef to a World Series of Poker Player, the Sous Chef aboard a 172ft sport fishing yacht traveling along the coast of Mexico, Garde Manger Chef at a world renowned tapas restaurant, Chef de Partie at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, and Executive Sous Chef at a strip hotel in Las Vegas!


BusyButternut was born in 2012 to incorporate more than just catering, but also full service party planning and event services. Why the name The Busy Butternut?  When you think of a butternut squash, she hopes it brings thoughts of warm buttery pasta or marshmellowy sweet potato pie with her adorable "Betty Butternut" logo.  Warmth, happiness, comfort, family, whimsy and home.  Toss in there an extremely hectic schedule and you have her!  

Licensing and Certification

BusyButternut, LLC 

ServeSafe Certification

State Food Safety CFPM

Dram Shop Liquor License

BASSET Alcohol Certification

Illinois Food Handlers License

Nevada TAP Card

Cincinnati Insurance Liability 

My daughter just said "This is seriously the best meal I've had since the pandemic started!"
We love this recipe. Thanks!!

Julie C.

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