The four finalists of the What's Your Beef competition. Winner Motaz Zayed pictured second from right. The four finalists of the What's Your Beef competition. Winner Motaz Zayed pictured second from right.

Hilton Worldwide, which recently ran a cooking competition as part of its youth in Hospitality Month, has awarded an apprenticeship to a young chef at Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort & Residences.

The competition, “What’s Your Beef”, was organised by King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, managed by Hilton, and required students to create and name a special dish which was studied and sampled by a team of judges.

The winner, 21-year old Motaz Zayed from the Jordan Applied University, is the first winner of the competition, the award being a guaranteed contract of employment with Hilton Worldwide.

Hilton Worldwide country manager – Jordan Kamel Ajami said: “I am delighted at the success of this initiative which has offered hope and employment to our lucky winners.

“The competition is one of a number of channels to reflect Hilton Worldwide’s global commitment to impact youth and help them reach their full potential through connecting and preparing them for employment.

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“We welcome Motaz into the Hilton Worldwide family and we wish him and his colleagues the very best of luck in their first job."

The runner-ups - George Siryani, Laith Matalka, and Moussa Abboud - were also granted a contract of employment at the Hilton Dead Sea Resort and Spa upon their graduation.

Eight students from the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and the Jordan Applied University participated in the competition.

A grand finale cook-off took place in front of an audience of fellow students, teachers and Hilton Worldwide team members who joined the judging panel members to celebrate the chosen winner.

Throughout May, Hilton hotels in the GCC participated in Careers@Hilton Live: Youth In Hospitality Month, a series of events designed to inform and excite young people looking for employment and to highlight the valuable long-term job prospects and considerable opportunities that are available in the industry.

It is part of Bright Blue Futures, a global program that encourages team members to donate their time and expertise to help young people achieve stability and prepare them for a brighter future.