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:
    1. Clear frameworks for improving flavor and understanding the science behind taste.
    2. Actionable insights on food trends, consumer behavior and product development.
    3. Strategies to elevate innovation processes and create products that resonate with today’s market.
Reading time: 2 min
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • 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.

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

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

No reviews available for this post.

Was this profile helpful?

Talent FAQ's

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

  • 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...

  • (41)
Phillip Koontz

Phillip Koontz, a former Navy SEAL with over six years of service, stands as a beacon of resilience, leadership, and adaptability. Through the crucible of SEAL training, Koontz honed his skills and acquired invaluable life lessons that he now imparts to others, helping them navigate the challenges of their personal, professional, and family lives. Phillip […]

  • Travels from: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Military Speakers
  • (36)
Dr. Gabrielle Pelicci - Image 05 (January 26, 2026)

Dr. Gabrielle Pelicci is a trailblazing expert at the intersection of blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and decentralized innovation. Known as a “Crypto Native,” she empowers audiences to embrace the transformative potential of Web3 and blockchain ecosystems. With her unique blend of academic rigor and real-world expertise, Dr. Pelicci demystifies complex topics, making them accessible and actionable […]

  • Travels from: West Palm Beach, FL
  • Digital Speakers
  • (108)
Lisa Nichols - Image 08 (March 5, 2026)

A powerhouse of positivity, resilience, and personal development, Lisa Nichols has carved a niche for herself as a transformative force, captivating audiences worldwide with her dynamic presence and life-changing messages. Lisa’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of the human spirit. Born in Los Angeles, she faced numerous challenges in her early life, […]

  • Travels from: Carlsbad, CA
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (33)
Bridget Hilton

Bridget Hilton doesn’t just share stories; she lives them. Raised in Flint, Michigan, she navigated her path from humble beginnings to boardrooms of global corporations, transforming every challenge into an opportunity for growth. Her journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and an unyielding drive to make a meaningful impact on others. As a motivational […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Culture Speakers
  • (70)
Rawi Abdelal

Rawi Abdelal is recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on how globalization and geopolitics affect businesses, economies, supply chains and social structures Herbert F. Johnson Professor of International Management at Harvard Business School, faculty co-chair of the Bloomberg-Harvard City Leadership Initiative and faculty chair of the Harvard Business School/YPO Presidents’ Program Work focuses […]

  • Travels from: Cambridge, MA
  • Political Speakers
  • (35)
  • (3)

Scott McKain is internationally recognized as a premier keynote speaker, bestselling author, and thought leader, Scott has built his career helping individuals and organizations stand out in a crowded marketplace. With a captivating style and powerful insights, he has left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide by showing them how to rise above sameness and […]

  • Travels from: Las Vegas, NV
  • Customer Experience
  • (297)
  • (6)
Erin Hatzikostas: Business Growth

Erin Hatzikostas is a former Corporate CEO turned Professional Pot-Stirrer. Erin is an internationally recognized leader on the impact of authenticity in the workplace. She is the founder of b Authentic Inc, where she’s leading a movement to eradicate the workplace of its BS and make it a fundamentally more authentic place. She is a […]

  • Travels from: Marlborough, CT
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (35)
Shama Hyder - Image 09 (January 27, 2026)

Shama Hyder is a visionary strategist for the digital age, a web and TV personality, a bestselling author, and the award-winning CEO of Zen Media – a global marketing and digital PR firm. She has been named the “Zen Master of Marketing” by Entrepreneur Magazine and the “Millennial Master of the Universe” by FastCompany.com. Shama […]

  • Travels from: Miami, FL
  • Branding Speakers
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2026.  Designed using Voxel

AI Assistant
Speakers Inc Logo 2024
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.