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...

  • (16)
Redefined - Zainab Salbi

Zainab Salbi is a world-renowned humanitarian, social entrepreneur, and author whose life’s work has been dedicated to advocating for women’s rights and global peace. As the founder of Women for Women International, Salbi has directly impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of women survivors of war, providing them with the resources and support needed […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Inspirational Speakers
  • (74)
  • (10)
Stafford Masie 2025 1

Stafford Masie talks around Digital Innovation and Disruption, and are applicable to any audience because technology is a transversal matter, irrespective of industry or theme. Stafford has been in the ICT industry for more than 25 years. His career foundations started in mid 90’s working for Telkom, Dimension Data and then Novell as a software engineer. […]

  • Travels from: Miami, FL
  • Digital Speakers
  • (66)
  • (4)
KERRY BARRETT - EMCEE

With a transformative journey from debilitating stage fright to becoming an esteemed figure in broadcast journalism, Kerry Barrett stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring speakers and professionals alike. Over two decades, Kerry has etched her mark as an Emmy-award winning network news anchor, host, and reporter, honing her craft in the intense spotlight […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Event Emcee
  • (39)
Jasmine Ellis - RHYTHM AND BAE PODCAST

Jasmine Ellis is a Stand Up Comedian, ,Entertainment Journalist and podcast host from Arlington, Texas. Jasmine tours colleges and clubs nationally and has been featured at over a dozen of the Top comedy festivals including Moontower, 10,000 Laughs, Limestone and Black Girl Giggles.. Her Debut comedy Album Trashbaby went #1 on iTunes and has been […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Comedian Performers
  • (14)
  • (3)
Eva Saha

Eva Saha stands at the forefront of professional hosting, renowned for her exceptional command of audiences both in person and virtually. With a career spanning multiple platforms, Eva’s journey to becoming a sought-after host, emcee, and moderator is marked by her innate warmth, commanding presence, and a natural ability to connect with diverse audiences. Eva’s […]

  • Travels from: Chicago, IL
  • Business Emcees
  • (29)
Kym Priess

Kym Priess is an emcee, comedian, actor, songwriter, and acting coach, Kym embodies the essence of entertainment. With her innate talent, she brings joy, creativity, and humor to every event she hosts. Are you in search of an event emcee who can captivate audiences, infuse humor, and ensure an unforgettable experience? Kym Priess | Event […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Event Emcee
  • (58)

Diana Nyad, a name synonymous with unyielding determination and indomitable spirit, is a true embodiment of the human potential to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Her remarkable journey to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage is a testament to her unshakable resolve, resilience, and a lifelong commitment to […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (40)
  • (1)

Joan Lunden is one of America’s most recognized and trusted television personalities. As host of ABC-TV’s “Good Morning America” for almost two decades (1980-1997), the the longest-running host on early morning television, Lunden helped millions of viewers greet each new day. During her tenure she reported from 26 countries, covered four presidents, five Olympics, and […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Celebrity 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.