Bullock's 'back-up' job
2005-08-03 14:14
Montpelier - Crowds lined up outside the doors for the grand opening of Gesine's Confectionary where Miss Congeniality star Sandra Bullock was working the front counter.
The baked goods sold nearly as fast as Bullock's sister, shop owner Gesine Prado, could churn them out on Tuesday in the kitchen in the back of the renovated shop.
"These are my sister's macaroons," said Bullock, wearing a white apron as she knelt next to two young children and handed out the brightly wrapped confections.
By midmorning, the display cases were nearly empty of the scones, muffins and coffee cakes they had once held.
"OK, we have three chocolate chip cookies. Big score!" Bullock said at one point. A moment later: "Oh, my God, we should raffle this. You were asking about macaroons," she said, turning to a woman standing in line. "There you go."
Sister not cashing in on Bullock's fame
Prado, who operates the production company Fortis Films with Bullock, decided she wanted to try a new career. So in January, she and her husband, Ray, bought a closed neighbourhood market and converted it into a gourmet pastry shop and bakery.
Bullock, whose screen credits also include Crash, Two Weeks Notice and the Speed films, recently married Monster Garage reality show host Jesse James.
She has been in town helping get the shop ready, then threw herself into waiting on customers.
Both sisters insist they were not capitalising on Bullock's fame.
"She's just trying to help," Prado said. "That was her decision to come. We didn't want publicity."
Bullock refused to talk about her role in the shop, saying the early success was about her sister and brother-in-law.
"Their quality speaks for itself," she said.
The 41-year-old actress said she would not depend on the shop for a job, but would work there occasionally. "Only when I need the money," she said.
- AP