When Starbucks’ Global Responsibility Head, Zarah Perez, asks me to be a Dialogues speaker, I hold off on giving an answer. Having attended a few Dialogues at Starbucks, I’m intimidated by the “loftiness” of the discussions: Environment, Volunteerism, Filipino heritage and pride, Social Entrepreneurship. Compared to those, food writing seems so flighty a topic.

A program adapted from Starbucks in the UK, the Dialogues are 60-minute moderated discussions that aim to encourage an exchange “… between advocates of a cause and an audience that [is] highly interested in getting to know more about [it]… all in a relaxed and informal environment i.e. any one of [the] Starbucks cafés.

In her email, Zarah tells me that this month’s theme for the Dialogues is Education, loosely translated as ‘beyond the classroom: unique learning experiences.’ “… I think beyond your success with blogging, your unique perspective behind Dessert Comes First is a great template for approaching life and learning,” she writes.

I’m flattered by her words but still unsure. I’ve been asked before to give talks about food blogging, more specifically, on how to write about food, but I always decline because frankly, I don’t know how to talk about what I do – I don’t think about it or talk about it – I just do it. I don’t intend for that to come out as big-headed or boastful but food and everything about it has always been natural for me and it’s something that I work at everyday.

However, it’s an activity that appeals to me so Zarah and I meet and together we brew up (pun intended) a Dialogues at Starbucks that’s convinced me to give a go at talking about food writing/blogging and (my) life as a food writer. Here’s what else I’ll briefly touch on:

- reviewing restaurants
- shooting food photos for maximum “mmm” appeal
- a coffee and dessert pairing featuring Starbucks’ October lineup of sweets
- a raffle of three (3) of my favorite 8×10 coffee photos, framed and ready to hang
- and the debut of my new “baby.” (No hints about what this could possibly be, please! [wink]).

Coffee is c/o Starbucks so I hope you can share a part of your Saturday afternoon with me at Starbucks. Here’s your invite and a map to help you get there:

Dessert Comes First at the Dialogues at Starbucks

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
3:00 pm
Starbucks Fairways Tower
Fifth Avenue, Fort Bonifacio Global City
FREE PARKING at the side of the store. Ask guard for assistance.

This is a FREE event. No reservations/payments required. See you there!