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

Related Articles:

• Top Requested Skills for FOH Jobs (Q2 2022)
• Top Requested Skills for FOH Jobs (Q1 2022)
• Top Requested Skills for BOH Jobs (Q1 2022)