L.A. Epicurean Festival; macrobiotic conference; Mars rover burger

L.A. Epicurean Festival: The L.A. Epicurean Festival takes place on Sunday at cathedral-turned-event-space Vibiana in downtown Los Angeles. The full-day event will feature demonstrations from chefs, sommeliers and mixologists, a cooking contest judged by chefs Michel Richard, Josie LeBalch and Bradley Ogden, wine czar Jean-Charles Boisset, Tasting Panel editor Meridith May and master sommelier Will Burtner, and a sugar sculpture created by pastry chef Stephane Treand. 3 to 10 p.m. 214 South Main St. Los Angeles. www.laepicureanfestival.com.

Macrobiotic conference: Foodies who have wanted to learn more about macrobiotic diets will be able to do so at the first Los Angeles Macrobiotic Conference at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church. This type of diet is based on organic vegetables, sea vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, fruit and fish to promote health and healing. Conference attendees can choose five out of 10 hour-and-a-half classes, including ones on acid-alkaline health, and healing with macrobiotics. Oct. 13. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. $200. 6700 W. 83rd St., Westchester, www.lifeinbalancemacrobiotics.com.

Mars rover burger: In honor of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Curiosity rover mission on Mars, the Original Tops in Pasadena is renaming its TOPS Special the “Curiosity Burger” and will give away these burgers to JPL employees with a badge until Sunday. The special is a quarter-pound hamburger with lettuce, tomatoes, sweet red onion, dill pickle, homemade Thousand Island dressing, pastrami, mustard and American cheese. 3838 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 449-4412. www.theoriginaltops.com.