Seven Awesome Upcoming Food and Drink Events

Tired of the old standbys and looking for a tasty new task? We've got you covered.

The Salty Pig's Porkapalooza

The Salty Pig’s Porkapalooza taking place on March 3, 2014.

It certainly doesn’t feel like it, but spring is almost here, and that means a whole new season of fun festivals and tasty food events. Whether you’re craving chili, have a hankering for hog, or just looking for a good cocktail, here are seven culinary events in Boston to look forward to this March.

Porkapalooza at The Salty Pig

Have a passion for all things pork? Then join this reoccurring series at The Salty Pig, where the staff battles a visiting chef for a little friendly pig competition. This time, Chef Steve “Nookie” Postal of Commonwealth will be duking it out in this tasty battle of skill and culinary creativity. Each chef is given one common pork cut in which to create a tasty dish family-style dish. The chef with the winning entrée will not only earn the title of “Head Hog,” but $100 to the charity of their choice.

$27.50, Monday, March 3, 8 p.m., The Salty Pig, 130 Dartmouth St, Boston, 617-536-6200, thesaltypig.com

Taste of the South End

What do you get when you bring together over 40 of Boston’s hottest restaurants? The Taste of the South End event at the Boston Center for the Arts. The event will feature unlimited food, wine, cocktail, and beer sampling from over 40 of Boston’s best kitchens. Proceeds will benefit the AIDS Action Committee of MA. General admission tickets are $95, and VIP tickets, which give you access to the lounge area, the after party event at the Beehive, and early admission to the event, are $150.

$95, or VIP for $150, Tuesday, March 4, 7 p.m. (VIP @ 6 p.m.),  Boston Center for the Arts, Cyclorama, 539 Tremont St., Boston,  617-450-1566, action.aac.org/site/PageServer?pagename=events_taste

Harpoon St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Already anxious to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day? Well, Harpoon Brewery is holding its annual St. Patrick’s Dat beer drinking festival, which will feature a cash bar serving Harpoon and UFO beer, food vendors, and live music from Irish bands from the Boston area. For $20 you’ll gain access to the party, plus a souvenir cup and a drink ticket.

$20, Friday, March 7, 5:30pm-11pm and Saturday, March 8, 2pm-9pmHarpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Ave., Boston617-574-9551, harpoonbrewery.com

The Great Boston Chili Bowl 2014

It’s BYOCB: bring your own corn bread at the 2014 Great Boston Chili Bowl. The event will bring local Boston and Cambridge restaurants and breweries like Amelia’s Trattoria, The Gallows, Downeast Cider House, and Peak Organic Brewing Company under one roof to showcase their delicious varieties of chili and beer. The proceeds from the event will go towards advancing research of effective treatments at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), the world’s largest drug development organization dedicated to ending ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease. General admission tickets will give you entry to the event, unlimited chili and beer samples, and free on-site garage parking, while VIP ticket holders will also be given a limited edition event t-shirt.

$35- $55, Saturday, March 8, 12 p.m., Atrium Lobby, 100 Technology Square, Cambridge, eventbrite.com/e/the-great-boston-chili-bowl-2014-tickets

Whisky Guild Boston Whisky Cruise 2014

Talk about a booze cruise! All aboard the Spirit of Boston for the Whisky Guild Boston Whisky Cruise. Bourbon, rye, and Scotch lovers can discover new brands or imbibe old favorites as they gather to sample and celebrate some of the world’s finest whiskies. At the event, whiskey experts, distillers, and brand ambassadors will guide attendees through over 100 samples. Your ticket includes admittance to the event, a tasting glass, a buffet dinner and dessert, plus the opportunity to attend a special master class.

$115 or $145 for VIP, Thursday, March 13 7:00 p.m., Spirit of Boston, Boston, 908- 217-1173, whiskyguild.com

Beyond Beef: Food for Thought Fundraiser

The Boston Center for Adult Education will be raising forks and funds for the BCAE and Jordan S. Ruboy M.D. Scholarship Fund. Sample fantastic food from nine of Boston’s premier chefs, including Alden & Harlow’s Michael Scelfo, Bondir’s Jason Bond, and West Bridge’s Matthew Gaudet, as they raise money for BCAE’s tuition assistance program, offering scholarships to students in need. Don’t miss out on this one of a kind culinary congregation where you can drink and eat your heart out and feel good about doing it.

$80, Thursday, March 13, 6:30 p.m., Boston Center for Adult Education, 122 Arlington Street, Boston, 617-267-4430, education.bcae.org/beyondbeef

Farm to Glass Mixology Throwdown

The Mass Farmers Markets and Edible Boston are holding the inaugural Farm to Glass Mixology Throwdown, where you can cheer on some of Greater Boston’s most talented mixologists and sample cocktails made with farm fresh ingredients. Your ticket purchase will include ten cocktail samples and two drink tickets to be used for your favorite concoctions. Participating mixologists will include the likes of Charlie Gaeta of The Blue Ox, Emily Jamison of Area Four, and Scott Shoer of Sycamore. Guests will then vote on their favorite drinks and the top three mixologists will compete for the title of Mixology Throwdown Champ. Funds raised from the event will help continue the work of Mass Farmers Markets.

$50, Saturday, March 15, 1 p.m., W Boston, 100 Stuart St, Boston, 617-261-8700, eventbrite.com/e/farm-to-glass-mixology-throwdown-tickets