Behind the Madness

It all started back in the early 1900′s, before popcorn was ever sold as a common snack. Joshua Chaney’s great grandmother had a caramel recipe that very few were given the opportunity to try. The recepie was passed down for generations and Joshua’s mother Reesa started putting it on popcorn.

Joshua Chaney was in the television industry for 17 years and was known for being the Key grip on FRIENDS, as well as shooting his own films. Reesa would give him popcorn during the holidays to distribute as gifts, everybody LOVED IT! In August of 2009, Joshua’s mom had renal failure and was rushed to the hospital. After being there for over a week, things were getting worse and they didn’t feel confident that she was going to survive.

Joshua was forced to do something he had dreaded for a long time. He asked for the 100-year-old recipe. Reesa hesitated in giving it to him as she felt she was coming home, but did so anyway.

Joshua rushed home that night to give it a try. Little did he know how difficult it was but by morning he had perfection. He took the popcorn to his mom in the hospital, where things had taken a turn for the better as her situation was greatly improved!

Thank God Reesa gets to see what’s happening now!

A couple of months later Joshua decided to feed the homeless on Skid Row with his popcorn and met a woman named Sulmaz. She had purchased over 200 sandwiches that day and was also there to feed the hungry. Sulmaz became Joshua’s lifetime partner and love. This is truly the most amazing meeting of two people in a tough area who shared the very same goals. They have since developed California Mad Poppers together creating an experience for popcorn lovers unlike any other on the market place today.

The owners,
Joshua Chaney and Sulmaz Rahimpour