It isn’t – until you think about it – an obvious career move for a movie star.
Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson is opening a popcorn shop. Not just any old popcorn joint but a gourmet one in Paris, the gastronomic capital of the world, where she spends much of her time.
And the 31-year-old singer and model are even going to serve customers with her own fair hand.
The star of “Lost in Translation” and “Under the Skin” will be serving up the truffle, parmesan and sage flavoured popcorn – her personal favourite – to punters when her Yummy Pop shop opens in the city’s Marais district on Saturday, her spokesperson said.
The concept is a labour of love with her French husband, advertising executive Romain Dauriac. And the couple hopes that if their “Real Vermont Cheddar” and other savoury and sweet recipes are a hit, they will open other shops elsewhere.
Her spokesman in Los Angeles said the actress was passionate about popcorn, adding that it was cooked and mixed fresh on the spot with seasonal ingredients.
The couple worked with chef Will Horowitz of Ducks Eater and Harry and Ida’s in New York on their menu, which also includes popcorn that comes with sea salt and olive oil, “Real Vermont Maple”, strawberries and cream and chocolate covered strawberries.
Dauriac’s sister Rose will manage the shop.
Johansson’s timing could not be better. The French capital is currently riding a wave of American influenced food trends, from brunches and artisan coffee shops to hamburgers, with some 70 percent of restaurants putting them on the menu, according to a recent study.
Johansson’s spokesperson said the Paris shop would close after its “soft opening” on Saturday to “they can fine tune everything with what they learn from customers before the grand opening”, which is likely to be before the end of the year.