Computing Sciences department trades keyboards for forks in new chicken bog contest

Coastal Carolina University's Department of Computing Sciences got a taste of classic South Carolinian culture last month during a new chicken bog contest.

"A discussion between faculty and staff during lunch revealed that some faculty had never eaten chicken bog before," said French. "This led to the idea of the contest, and we also wanted student involvement since many had never even heard of chicken bog."

Faculty and staff members were encouraged to bring their own version of the traditionally South Carolina dish, consisting of rice, chicken and sometimes sausage. Students in the department judged each entry and voted to determine the top three enteries.Winners were awarded 3D-printed trophies.

More than 50 students attended the contest with six faculty members participating in the cooking. As students entered the room, they put their names on a ticket. After tasting each of the bogs, they put their ticket into the box by their favorite bog.

Rosemary Burke, a computing sciences teaching associate, won first place. Jean French, chair and professor of computing sciences, won second place as a first-time bog cooker. Cory Nance, the mastermind behind the contest and lecuter of computing sciences, won third.

Students were entered into a drawing for attending, and one lucky student won a gift card, courtesy of French, to Buffalo Wild Wings.

Although this is the first bog-off the department thas held, they are planning on continuing the new tradition for years to come. A different contest will begin in the spring similar to the bog-off, involving either barbecue or lasagna.