 "Photo: Emily Kinsolving")
Temperatures stayed below the high 60s Thursday, but under a shaded plaza, things heated up.
BASF chemical company representative Ashley Kessler scraped the bottom of a bowl to dig out the last bits of a four-and-a-half gallon recipe of cajun chili. People left the table disappointed because the company's winning concoction was all but gone.
The Student Engineering Council hosted its first Corporate Chili Cook-Off at the outdoor plaza near the Ernest Cockrell Jr. and Robert Lee Moore buildings. Inspired by Louisiana State University's Corporate Gumbo Cook-Off, the event was hosted as an ice-breaker and networking event leading up to today's College of Engineering Career Expo, said Taylor Castello, the council's special events vice president.
Several companies were invited to enter their chili in the contest and mingle with students. In attendance were JP Morgan Chase, Sun Microsystems, BASF, Chevron and UT Applied Research Labs.
"It's supposed to facilitate the meet-and-greet process and make it a little more personal," Castello said. "Most of the cooks here are the representatives that will be present at the expo tomorrow, so students can meet them beforehand in a more relaxed environment."
The companies prepared everything from pork, beef and turkey chili to top-secret recipes. The council handed BASF the top prize.
"It wasn't about winning; this was about meeting the kids in a laid-back environment," Kessler said. "We appreciate the students coming out, and we're definitely keeping the students in mind who made an impression today. We look forward to seeing them tomorrow."
Attending smaller student-organized events can be more effective than career expos by themselves, said Brian Harrison, a JP Morgan quality assurance manager and representative.
The company cooked up a beef, pork and chicken chili to emphasize its message of implementing diversity within its corporation.
"We're looking for it in personality, how you stand out and how you separate yourself," Harrison said. "We're trying to show the students we're not just suits and ties - we wear jeans, too."
The council was greeted by more than 500 students in the first 25 minutes, said Landon Farris, the cook-off's chairperson.
"The turnout was a surprise and great success," Farris said. "The only people disappointed were those who came after 12 p.m. - that's when the chili ran out."
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