Celebrity chef Tyler Florence stops by Mazzaro's to do some presidential shopping

ST. PETERSBURG - The manager of Mazzaro's Italian Market in St Petersburg got quite the surprise on Wednesday when celebrity chef Tyler Florence walked in the door. 

Ben DeNavarra was standing near the meat cases talking with a sales rep when Florence unexpectedly walked in.  DeNavarra knew immediately who he was and went over the introduced himself. 

"He was very nice and definitely a polite guy," DeNavarra said.  “He was very down to Earth.”

DeNavarra thought he was in town for an appearance on Home Shopping Network but he was surprised when Florence told him that he was in town to make dinner at a fundraiser event in Tampa for the President.

DeNavarra says Florence didn't come in with any entourage, but just one other person.  He says the chef was only there about 30 minutes and bought mostly meats and cheeses.

Before he left, Florence signed a t-shirt for DeNavarra, which he will hang up in the store.   A few lucky shoppers in the store got autographs too.

Mazzaro's Italian Market is located at 2909 22nd Avenue N in St Petersburg.