Meet Steve Fiore and the Passion Behind Rooted & Refined Living
My passion for single-origin foods and finely curated products has evolved over decades. It began with organic loose-leaf tea and small-batch dark chocolate, and each year I’ve explored a new corner of the kitchen including imported Italian olive oils, single-origin spices, local honey, maple syrup, and freshly milled flour, to name a few. More recently, this love of quality has extended beyond food to include cookware, hand-blown wine glasses, a favorite bread knife, and even bath towels.
While I have been toying with this idea of creating a website (or maybe someday a retail store) for many years, it wasn’t until recently on a trip to Kauai that my son, Michael, suggested this would be a great time to share my passion with the rest of the world. We had just finished a 3-hour tour of a cacao farm at Lydgate Farms and not only got to taste the cacao pulp (fruit) and beans (early version of chocolate), but we sampled apple bananas (that is the actual name of the banana), dragon fruit, soursop (yup, we never heard of it either), white pineapple, honey, and even peppercorns right off of the pepper plant. It was an amazing experience and the best tour I have ever experienced.
My hope is I can transfer my passion, along with the curated set of products I have researched in depth and personally use to give you a jump start on your own personal journey.
Enjoy!
Steve Fiore
"Elevate Your Sensory Experience"
Me drinking a fresh coconut in Kauai
From Left to Right:
Matthew, Michael, Steve (me), Emma, and Mary Beth
June 2025
About Me
I started Rooted & Refined Living as a passion to help others. Beyond the site, I have worked in the software and technology field for 30 years in sales, sales leadership, and most recently customer success leadership roles. My experience focuses on leading teams, building customer-focused strategies, and helping organizations strengthen relationships that drive retention and growth. I focus on leading with openness, collaboration, and trust.
Beyond my day job, I have taught as an Adjunct Professor at Bryant University, guided professionals through career transitions, and shared insights as a TEDx speaker on personal productivity.
Outside of work, Steve enjoys traveling, cooking, and hiking with his wife, Mary Beth, and their three children, Matthew, Michael, and Emma, much of which you will see sprinkled throughout this site.
To learn more, please visit my LinkedIn page.
The Rooted and Refined Living Standard:
In a world of mass-produced goods, I believe in the Rooted & Refined Living standard. Every product featured on this site is personally used by my family and me to create an elevated sensory experience. Similarly, the Lifestyle Tips I publish are practices I have successfully incorporated into my own daily routine.
Please note: I approach these topics as a dedicated enthusiast, not a medical professional. I only share product reviews and practices that align with a balanced, sensory-rich lifestyle. If it isn't in my home and I don't practice it myself, it isn't on this site.
I would love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out at steve@rootedandrefinedliving.com