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

Related Articles:

• Top Requested Skills for FOH Jobs (Q3 2023)
• 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)