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)

Related Articles:

• Top Requested Skills for FOH Jobs (Q2 2023)
• Top Requested Skills for BOH Jobs (Q1 2023)
• Top Requested Skills for FOH Jobs (Q1 2023)
• Top Requested Skills for BOH Jobs (Q4 2022)
• Top Requested Skills for FOH Jobs (Q4 2022)
• Top Requested Skills for BOH Jobs (Q3 2022)
• Top Requested Skills for FOH Jobs (Q3 2022)
• Top Requested Skills for BOH Jobs (Q2 2022)
• Top Requested Skills for FOH Jobs (Q2 2022)
• Top Requested Skills for FOH Jobs (Q1 2022)
• Top Requested Skills for BOH Jobs (Q1 2022)