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 2022 (July, Augsut, 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. Advanced Knife Skills
2. Food Safety Knowledge
3. Cleaning / Sanitation
4. Basic Knife Skills
5. 300+ Covers Per Night
6. 200 Covers Per Night
7. Meat Butchery
8. Fish Butchery
9. Grilling
10. Team Development and Training
11. Meat Cookery
12. Sauteing
13. Prepping Ingredients
14. Communication
15. Portioning
16. Vegetable Cookery
17. Teamwork
18. Food Handler Certification
19. Positive Attitude
20. Fish Cookery
21. Frying
22. Safety Procedures Knowledge
23. Plating and Presentation
24. Kitchen Management
25. Ordering / Purchasing

Dishwasher

1. Dishwashing
2. Cleaning / Sanitation
3. Teamwork
4. Food Safety Knowledge
5. Positive Attitude
6. Communication
7. Work In a Fast-Paced Environment
8. Basic Knife Skills
9. Cleanliness
10. Safety Procedures Knowledge

Prep Cook

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

Line Cook

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

Lead Line Cook

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

Expeditor

1. Food Safety Knowledge
2. Customer Service
3. High Volume Service
4. Attention to Detail
5. Expediting
6. Communication
7. Food Handler Certification
8. 200 Covers Per Night
9. Food Expo
10. Food Running

Sous Chef

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

Executive Chef

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

Baker

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

Pastry Cook

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

Executive Pastry Chef

1. Team Development and Training
2. Pastry Making
3. Costing
4. Safety and Sanitation
5. Pastry Menu Development
6. Menu Development
7. Communication
8. Food Safety Knowledge
9. Leadership
10. Ordering / Purchasing

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)