The most sought-after skills by employers within the hospitality industry continue to change. Based on the jobs posted on CulinaryAgents.com in the first quarter of 2023 (January, February, March), 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. 100 Covers Per Night
  2. Advanced Knife Skills
  3. Butchery
  4. Food Safety Knowledge
  5. Cleaning / Sanitation
  6. Food Prep
  7. Team Management
  8. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  9. Basic Knife Skills
  10. Teamwork
  11. Communication
  12. Grilling
  13. Positive Attitude
  14. Sauteing
  15. Meat Cookery
  16. Vegetable Cookery
  17. Food Handler Certification
  18. Portioning
  19. Fish Cookery
  20. Plating and Presentation
  21. Frying
  22. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  23. Kitchen Management
  24. Attention to Detail
  25. Inventory Management

 

Dishwasher

  1. Cleaning / Sanitation
  2. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  3. Teamwork
  4. Food Safety Knowledge
  5. Positive Attitude
  6. Food Prep
  7. Communication
  8. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  9. Work in a Fast-Paced Environment
  10. Organizational Skills

Prep Cook

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

Line Cook

  1. 100 Covers Per Night
  2. Advanced Knife Skills
  3. Food Prep
  4. Butchery
  5. Food Safety Knowledge
  6. Basic Knife Skills
  7. Cleaning / Sanitation
  8. Sauteing
  9. Grilling
  10. Meat Cookery 

Lead Line Cook

  1. Advanced Knife Skills
  2. Food Prep
  3. 100 Covers Per Night
  4. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  5. Food Safety Knowledge
  6. Cleaning / Sanitation
  7. Food Handler Certification
  8. Communication
  9. Teamwork
  10. Butchery

Expeditor

  1. Expediting
  2. High Volume Service
  3. Food Safety Knowledge
  4. Organizational Skills
  5. 100 Covers Per Night
  6. Attention to Detail
  7. Communication
  8. Multitasking
  9. Food Running
  10. Fine Dining Service

Sous Chef

  1. 100 Covers Per Night
  2. Butchery
  3. Advanced Knife Skills
  4. Team Management
  5. Food Safety Knowledge
  6. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  7. Kitchen Management
  8. Ordering / Purchasing
  9. Cleaning / Sanitation
  10. Expediting 

Executive Chef

  1. Team Management
  2. 100 Covers Per Night
  3. Advanced Knife Skills
  4. Kitchen Management
  5. Food Safety Knowledge
  6. Menu Development
  7. Butchery
  8. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  9. Ordering / Purchasing
  10. Cost Management

Baker

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

Pastry Cook

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

Executive Pastry Chef

  1. Team Management
  2. Pastry Making
  3. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  4. Menu Development
  5. Ordering / Purchasing
  6. Cost Management
  7. Kitchen Management
  8. Leadership
  9. Organizational Skills
  10. Teamwork

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