Chichén Itzá's Habanero Eating Contest
Get ready for the fourth annual Chichén Itzá Habanero-Eating Contest during Mercado La Paloma's Father's Day celebration. Contestants will be provided a bowl of whole habanero chiles and have 20 minutes to eat as many chiles as possible for first, second and third place. Gilberto Cetina's Chichén Itzá restaurant specializes in the cuisine of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, where folks love the ultra-hot habaneros, rated 150,000 to 325,000 on the Scoville scale. (Jalapeños rate 2,500 to 8,000.) The contestant who eats the most chiles will win a $50 gift certificate from the restaurant. 
WHAT: Chichén Itzá's Habanero Eating Contest
WHEN: Sunday, June 15, 2 p.m.
WHERE: Chichén Itzá, 3655 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles; 213-741-1075
COST: Free; register at the restaurant.]

Culver City Neighborhood Happy Hour 
Just in time for more hot weather, Culver City host its third neighborhood happy hour, featuring spiked lemonade. Check in at Melrose Mac or Lundeen's Gifts and pick up a “passport,” with a list of participating restaurants, bars and retail shops. You then get this stamped each time with each sample of hard lemonade (non-alcoholic options available). There's a raffle at the Kirk Douglas Theatre and live music throughout downtown Culver City.
WHAT: Culver City Neighborhood Happy Hour
WHEN: Wednesday, June 18, 5-9 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Culver City
COST: No entrance fee; discounts available at restaurants, bars and shops

Bacon-Curing Class
Rashida Purifoy, of Cast Iron Gourmet, and the folks at the Institute of Domestic Technology are holding a bacon-curing class. Learn how to make bacon with a Pork Belly 101 lesson, including instructions on how to source the best quality meat and a discussion of food safety. The class continues with lessons on dry and wet curing, how to smoke with a home smoker, and how to make bacon-infused bourbon. Yes, you can taste that, too, as well as take home the fruits of your labor. 
WHAT: Bacon-Curing Class
WHEN: Sunday, June 15, 10 a.m.-noon
WHERE: Zane Grey Estate, 396 E. Mariposa St., Altadena
COST: $95; includes ingredients, supplies and tastings

“India & Pakistan: Divided by Borders, United by Taste”
The Culinary Historians of Southern California presents a conversation with Prem Souri Kishore and Farhana Sahibzada on the cuisines of India and Pakistan and some of the historical events that shaped them. Kishore, a native of South India, is a food and travel writer and lecturer on India at Pierce Community College; Sahibzada, who is from Lahore, Pakistan, is the former chef and owner of Cinnamon STIX in Woodland Hills, a longtime culinary teacher and cookbook author. A reception with themed refreshments will follow the talk.
WHAT: “India & Pakistan: Divided by Borders, United by Taste”
WHEN: Saturday, June 14, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., downtown
COST: Free; reservations not required

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