The most sought-after skills by employers within the hospitality industry continue to evolve. Based on the jobs posted on CulinaryAgents.com in the second quarter of 2024 (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, identify which skills you need to work on to take you to the next level.

Top 25 Most Sought After Skills for BOH Positions

  1. Communication
  2. Cleaning / Sanitation
  3. Organizational Skills
  4. Teamwork
  5. Standing for Long Periods of Time
  6. Food Prep
  7. Customer Service
  8. Time Management
  9. Advanced Knife Skills
  10. Following Recipes
  11. Inventory Management
  12. Culinary Skills
  13. Kitchen Equipment Use
  14. Math Skills
  15. Plating and Presentation
  16. Mobility
  17. Food Safety Knowledge
  18. Attention to Detail
  19. Quality Control
  20. Work in a Fast-Paced Environment
  21. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  22. Manual Dexterity
  23. Leadership
  24. Work in Hot and Cold Temperatures

Dishwasher

  1. Communication
  2. Cleaning / Sanitation
  3. Organizational Skills
  4. Customer Service
  5. Standard Operating Procedures
  6. Standing for Long Periods of Time
  7. Quality Control
  8. Time Management
  9. Teamwork
  10. Kitchen Equipment Use

Prep Cook

  1. Food Prep
  2. Cleaning / Sanitation
  3. Standing for Long Periods of Time
  4. Teamwork
  5. Culinary Skills
  6. Communication
  7. Following Recipes
  8. Kitchen Equipment Use
  9. Inventory Management
  10. Attention to Detail

Line Cook

  1. Culinary Skills
  2. Cleaning / Sanitation
  3. Food Prep
  4. Teamwork
  5. Communication
  6. Non-Skill Bucket
  7. Advanced Knife Skills
  8. Food Safety Knowledge
  9. Following Recipes
  10. Standing for Long Periods of Time

Lead Line Cook

  1. Culinary Skills
  2. Food Prep
  3. Cleaning / Sanitation
  4. Standing for Long Periods of Time
  5. Inventory Management
  6. Communication
  7. Kitchen Equipment Use
  8. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  9. Following Recipes
  10. Advanced Knife Skills

Expeditor

  1. Communication
  2. Standing for Long Periods of Time
  3. Attention to Detail
  4. Customer Service
  5. Non-Skill Bucket
  6. Service Procedures
  7. Expediting
  8. Teamwork
  9. Organizational Skills
  10. Professionalism

Sous Chef

  1. Kitchen Management
  2. Communication
  3. Leadership
  4. Culinary Skills
  5. Inventory Management
  6. Team Management
  7. Non-Skill Bucket
  8. Cost Management
  9. Menu Development
  10. Food Prep

Executive Chef

  1. Leadership
  2. Menu Development
  3. Cost Management
  4. Kitchen Management
  5. Culinary Skills
  6. Team Management
  7. Inventory Management
  8. Communication
  9. Safety Procedures Knowledge
  10. Non-Skill Bucket

Baker

  1. Baking Knowledge
  2. Cleaning / Sanitation
  3. Bread Making
  4. Dough Making
  5. Standing for Long Periods of Time
  6. Non-Skill Bucket
  7. Communication
  8. Teamwork
  9. Attention to Detail
  10. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs

Pastry Cook

  1. Pastry Making
  2. Cleaning / Sanitation
  3. Teamwork
  4. Non-Skill Bucket
  5. Communication
  6. Standing for Long Periods of Time
  7. Culinary Skills
  8. Attention to Detail
  9. Following Recipes
  10. Organizational Skills

Executive Pastry Chef

  1. Pastry Making
  2. Communication
  3. Cleaning / Sanitation
  4. Teamwork
  5. Leadership
  6. Organizational Skills
  7. Non-Skill Bucket
  8. Baking Knowledge
  9. Menu Development
  10. Team Management

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