Barb Stuckey: Wellness Speaker
Food innovation leader and taste expert Barb Stuckey helps brands elevate flavor, consumer insight and product development through decades of experience shaping breakthrough foods and beverages for national markets.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- President and Chief Innovation Officer at Mattson
- Nationally recognized expert in taste science, food trends and product development
- Author of Taste What You’re Missing and Taste
- Regular Forbes.com contributor on food and innovation
- Formats: Keynote speaker, food innovation expert and taste educator
- Audiences: Food and beverage brands, CPG innovators, culinary schools, R&D teams, product developers and organizations seeking flavor improvement and consumer-driven innovation.
- Outcomes:
- Clear frameworks for improving flavor and understanding the science behind taste.
- Actionable insights on food trends, consumer behavior and product development.
- Strategies to elevate innovation processes and create products that resonate with today’s market.
- Travels from: San Francisco, CA
- **Fee range: On Request
Talent Services
Talent Short Bio
Barb Stuckey is President and Chief Innovation Officer at Mattson, the nation’s leading independent developer of foods and beverages for retail and chain restaurants. Since joining the company in 1997, she has become one of the industry’s most respected voices in taste science, food trends, innovation strategy and consumer insights. Her work centers on improving flavor and guiding companies through the full product development process, from ideation to commercialization.
With more than two decades of daily tasting embedded into her role, Barb has refined a rare ability to diagnose flavor challenges and teach others how to make food taste better. She distilled this expertise into her acclaimed book Taste What You’re Missing, later re-released as Taste, which introduced scientific yet accessible insights on how humans experience flavor.
Barb’s passion for taste education extends into the classroom as a long-standing instructor at The San Francisco Cooking School, where she teaches the Fundamentals of Taste to each entering class. She is also a regular contributor to Forbes.com, writing on food industry trends and innovation, and serves on the advisory board of the Plant Based Foods Association.
Read Full Bio
Barb Stuckey has been at Mattson since 1997, and is currently President and Chief Innovation Officer at the country’s most successful independent developer of foods and beverages for the retail foods and chain restaurant industries.
Barb is known as a taste, food trend, innovation, consumer insights, and product development expert.
As part of Barb’s role in the innovation projects that make up her daily job, she is required to taste food and figure out how to make it better. After more than 2 decades doing this, she’s honed her tasting skills and ability to help others make food taste better. She shared this insight with the world in 2012 when her book Taste What You’re Missing was published. In 2013, the paperback edition was released (under the simplified title Taste).
Barb Stuckey was instrumental in helping The San Francisco Cooking School integrate the science of taste into their curriculum. She now teaches the Fundamentals of Taste to each entering class.
She is also a regular contributor to Forbes.com where she writes about the food industry. And she sits on the advisory board of the Plant Based Foods Association.
Previously, Barb has sat on the board of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at the University of California, Davis and La Cocina, the San Francisco food incubator.
Barb Stuckey lives with her hypertaster husband, two artisan cats, and splits her time between San Francisco and Healdsburg, in the heart of Sonoma wine country. She can be bribed with good tomatoes.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on LinkedIn
Videos
Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry
No reviews available for this post.
Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Deposits and securing a booking
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
- When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
- Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
You may be interested in...
- (46)
Kristen Kish was born in South Korea and adopted into a family in Kentwood, MI. At a young age she showed an affinity for cooking and, prompted by her mother, attended Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago. After culinary school, Kristen spent the next ten years in Boston honing her skills in several high-profile restaurants, ultimately becoming the […]
- Travels from: Austin, TX
- Chefs Speakers
- (9)
- Featured
Carme Artigas is a global expert in Big Data, AI, and technological innovations with over 25 years of experience in management, executive, and technological positions. She is the co-founder and former CEO of Synergic Partners, which was acquired by Telefonica in 2015. She is currently a Senior Fellow at Harvard’s Belfer Centre and an Ambassador for ‘Women in […]
- Travels from: Madrid, Spain
- Artificial Intelligence
- (17)
Victoria Arlen’s life story is one of remarkable resilience and triumph over adversity. At the tender age of eleven, her world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with two rare conditions, Transverse Myelitis and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. This devastating diagnosis robbed Victoria of her ability to speak, eat, walk, and move, plunging her […]
- Travels from: Boston, MA
- Inspirational Speakers
- (30)
- (3)
Nichole Pitts is a visionary leader, strategist, and advocate for ethical business practices and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. As the founder and CEO of Ethintegrity, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, helping clients navigate the intricate landscape of ethics, compliance, and DEI with finesse and innovation. Nichole is […]
- Travels from: Atlanta, GA
- Ethics Speakers
- (7)
Ryan Estis understands the pulse of modern business like few others can. With 15 years of experience as an ad agency executive, he’s been at the helm of steering companies towards unparalleled success. His journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurial innovation has equipped him with a unique perspective that resonates powerfully with audiences worldwide. Drawing […]
- Travels from: Saint Paul, MN
- Sales Speakers
- (66)
Sir Richard Branson is an international entrepreneur, adventurer, icon, founder of the Virgin Group, the eccentric and outspoken chairman of Virgin Atlantic Airways and the founder of Virgin Records. Famous for his daring entrepreneurial style, he oversees the Virgin Group, Ltd., an extensive conglomerate encompassing over 360 companies, including recording studios, a travel business, publishing […]
- Travels from: London, UK
- Business Speakers
- (31)
Pandit Dasa is a highly sought-after expert on mindful leadership, bringing a unique blend of personal insight, practical experience, and academic grounding to his audiences. With years of expertise in promoting mindful workplace culture, Pandit empowers leaders and employees to embrace appreciation, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. As a former monk, motivational speaker, and author, Pandit […]
- Travels from: Miami, FL
- Motivational Speakers
- (26)
Rick Smith Jr. is a world-class corporate magician, entertainer, and event emcee known for his exceptional ability to captivate audiences with jaw-dropping magic and unparalleled showmanship. With a career spanning over two decades, Rick has become a household name in the world of entertainment, delivering unforgettable performances for corporate events, private gatherings, and prestigious venues […]
- Travels from: Cleveland, OH
- Magicians
Disclaimer
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
Fee Range Information
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
