Upcoming food events

There's more to life than Restaurant Week. (Though there is also Restaurant Week -- stop procrastinating already and go make your reservations.)

For one, Boston Irish Tourism Association's Gaelic Gourmet Week takes place March 9-17. Events include the 3d annual Gaelic Gourmet Gala on March 14 at the Hotel Commonwealth. Tickets are $100, cocktail attire required. Thirteen chefs from Ireland, Canada, and the US will be doing cooking demos; there will be hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and live jazz. "TV Diner" host Billy Costa MCs.

There's also a traditional Irish breakfast at Eastern Standard March 15 ($14) and an Irish Chefs' Dinner at Jurys March 16 ($80 for five courses).

For two, Taste of the South End takes place March 11 at the BCA. The event raises money for the AIDS Action Committee; tickets are $95. Admission includes food from (mostly) South End restaurants such as newbie Banq, the Franklin Cafe, Mistral, Myers+Chang, Oishii, Sage, and lots more.