Bobby Stuckey loves creating welcoming, inspired spaces in his restaurants both for customers and employees, seeing hospitality as a mission as much as a career.

Bobby’s story starts in Arizona where he grew up “a dyslexic, ADHD kid,” who wasn’t finding success in school. Fortunately he landed a position as a busboy in a local restaurant and soon realized that pouring his energy into that job came with real rewards. The world of restaurants has been his home ever since. Along the way he fell in love with wine and learned the importance of mentorship.

Today, after a long, storied career as a wine buyer and sommelier at legendary restaurants including The Little Nell in Aspen, CO, and The French Laundry, in Napa Valley, CA, Bobby’s life is centered in Colorado where his restaurants such as Frasca and Pizzeria Alberico in Boulder and Tavernetta in Denver have earned every top hospitality and service award imaginable. Most recently — just after recording this podcast — Bobby and his team won the 2025 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant for Frasca, a restaurant that has already earned a Michelin star and two prior James Beard Awards.

It was an absolute pleasure to catch up with Bobby and learn more about this career, life story, and what’s next for this outstanding hospitality leader. Explore Bobby’s restaurants by visiting frascahospitalitygroup.com.

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Bobby Stuckey on continuing to redefine hospitality

The Taste with Doug Shafer – a Podcast About Wine, Food, and Friends