The most sought-after skills by employers within the hospitality industry continue to change. Based on the jobs posted on CulinaryAgents.com in the second quarter of 2022 (April, May, June), here are the top requested skills for some of the most common Back of House positions.

Pro-tip for Job Seekers: Before applying to jobs, cross-check your skills against these that are in high demand to see which role(s) you are most qualified for and/or if you are seeking to grow into a new role, identifiy which skills you need to work on to take you to the next level.

 

Top 25 Most Sought After Skills for BOH Positions:

  1. Food Safety Knowledge
  2. Advanced Knife Skills
  3. Cleaning / Sanitation
  4. Basic Knife Skills
  5. 200 Covers Per Night
  6. Sauteing
  7. Grilling
  8. Teamwork
  9. Meat Cookery
  10. Communication
  11. Portioning
  12. Meat Butchery
  13. Vegetable Cookery
  14. Fish Butchery
  15. Frying
  16. Prepping Ingredients
  17. Fish Cookery
  18. Food Handler Certification
  19. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  20. Team Development and Training
  21. Positive Attitude
  22. 300 Covers Per Night
  23. 300+ Covers Per Night
  24. Kitchen Management
  25. Plating and Presentation

 

Dishwasher

  1. Dishwashing
  2. Cleaning / Sanitation
  3. Teamwork
  4. Food Safety Knowledge
  5. Work In a Fast-Paced Environment
  6. Positive Attitude
  7. Communication
  8. Basic Knife Skills
  9. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  10. Cleanliness

 

Prep Cook

  1. Basic Knife Skills
  2. Food Safety Knowledge
  3. Advanced Knife Skills
  4. Cleaning / Sanitation
  5. Teamwork
  6. Prepping Ingredients
  7. Portioning
  8. Food Prep
  9. Positive Attitude
  10. Communication

 

Line Cook

  1. Basic Knife Skills
  2. Advanced Knife Skills
  3. Food Safety Knowledge
  4. Cleaning / Sanitation
  5. Sauteing
  6. Grilling
  7. Meat Cookery
  8. 200 Covers Per Night
  9. Frying
  10. Vegetable Cookery

 

Lead Line Cook

  1. Advanced Knife Skills
  2. Food Safety Knowledge
  3. Sauteing
  4. Grilling
  5. Cleaning / Sanitation
  6. Fish Cookery
  7. Basic Knife Skills
  8. Frying
  9. Meat Cookery
  10. Food Handler Certification

 

Expeditor

  1. Expediting
  2. Customer Service
  3. High Volume Service
  4. Food Safety Knowledge
  5. Communication
  6. 300 Covers Per Night
  7. Attention to Detail
  8. Fine Dining Service
  9. Multitasking
  10. Food Running

 

Sous Chef

  1. Advanced Knife Skills
  2. Team Development and Training
  3. Food Safety Knowledge
  4. Kitchen Management
  5. Meat Butchery
  6. Ordering / Purchasing
  7. Fish Butchery
  8. 200 Covers Per Night
  9. Expediting
  10. 300+ Covers Per Night

 

Executive Chef

  1. Team Development and Training
  2. Kitchen Management
  3. Food Safety Knowledge
  4. Ordering / Purchasing
  5. Menu Development
  6. Advanced Knife Skills
  7. Recipe Development
  8. Inventory Management
  9. Leadership
  10. Scheduling

 

Baker

  1. Baking Bread
  2. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  3. Time Management
  4. Dough Making
  5. Food Safety Knowledge
  6. Pastry Making
  7. Attention to Detail
  8. Baking Knowledge
  9. Cleaning / Sanitation
  10. Teamwork

 

Pastry Cook

  1. Pastry Making
  2. Plating and Presentation
  3. Ice Cream / Sorbet Making
  4. Time Management
  5. Cake Making
  6. Food Safety Knowledge
  7. Baking Bread
  8. Cake Decorating
  9. Chocolate Work
  10. Basic Knife Skills

 

Executive Pastry Chef

  1. Team Development and Training
  2. Menu Development
  3. Costing
  4. Ordering / Purchasing
  5. Safety and Sanitation
  6. Team Management
  7. Communication
  8. Leadership
  9. Organizational Skills
  10. Pastry Making

 

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