The most sought-after skills by employers within the hospitality industry continue to change. Based on the jobs posted on CulinaryAgents.com in the third quarter of 2023 (July, August, September), 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. Food Handler Certification
  14. Grilling
  15. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  16. Sauteing
  17. Portioning
  18. Meat Cookery
  19. Plating and Presentation
  20. Vegetable Cookery
  21. Attention to Detail
  22. Frying
  23. Fish Cookery
  24. Kitchen Management
  25. Pastry Making

Dishwasher

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

Prep Cook

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

Line Cook

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

Expeditor

  1. Expediting
  2. High Volume Service
  3. Food Safety Knowledge
  4. Food Running
  5. Multitasking
  6. Organizational Skills
  7. 100 Covers Per Night
  8. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  9. Fine Dining Service
  10. Teamwork

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. Expediting
  10. Cleaning / Sanitation

Executive Chef 

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

Baker

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

Pastry Cook

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

Executive Pastry Chef

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

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