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 2023 (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. 100 Covers Per Night
  2. Advanced Knife Skills
  3. Butchery
  4. Food Safety Knowledge
  5. Cleaning / Sanitation
  6. Food Prep
  7. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  8. Basic Knife Skills
  9. Team Management
  10. Teamwork
  11. Communication
  12. Positive Attitude
  13. Sauteing
  14. Grilling
  15. Food Handler Certification
  16. Portioning
  17. Meat Cookery
  18. Vegetable Cookery
  19. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  20. Plating and Presentation
  21. Frying
  22. Fish Cookery
  23. Attention to Detail
  24. Kitchen Management
  25. Pastry Making

Dishwasher

  1. Dishwashing
  2. Cleaning / Sanitation
  3. Food Safety Knowledge
  4. Teamwork
  5. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  6. Positive Attitude
  7. Safety and Sanitation
  8. Communication
  9. Attention to Detail
  10. Cleanliness and Work In a Fast-Paced Environment (tied)

Prep Cook

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

Line Cook

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

Lead Line Cook

  1. Advanced Knife Skills
  2. Food Safety Knowledge
  3. Cleaning / Sanitation
  4. Safety and Sanitation
  5. Communication
  6. Positive Attitude
  7. Teamwork
  8. Fish Butchery
  9. Basic Knife Skills
  10. Sauteing

Expeditor

  1. Expediting
  2. High Volume Service
  3. 300+ Covers Per Night
  4. Food Safety Knowledge
  5. Communication
  6. Customer Service
  7. Multitasking
  8. Attention to Detail
  9. 200 Covers Per Night
  10. Food Running and Organizational Skills (tied)

Sous Chef

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

Executive Chef

  1. Team Development and Training
  2. Advanced Knife Skills
  3. 300+ Covers Per Night
  4. Food Safety Knowledge
  5. Kitchen Management
  6. Menu Development
  7. Ordering / Purchasing
  8. Inventory Management
  9. Leadership
  10. Recipe Development

Baker

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

Pastry Cook

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

Executive Pastry Chef

  1. Team Development and Training
  2. Pastry Making
  3. Team Management
  4. Leadership
  5. Safety and Sanitation
  6. Baking Bread
  7. Organizational Skills
  8. Cake Making; Pastry Menu Development (tied)
  9. Cake Decorating; Ordering / Purchasing
  10. Quality Control; Time Management (tied)

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