The most sought-after skills by employers within the hospitality industry continue to evolve. Based on the jobs posted on CulinaryAgents.com in the third quarter of 2024 (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, 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. Standing for Long Periods of Time
4. Organizational Skills
5. Teamwork
6. Customer Service
7. Food Prep
8. Time Management
9. Inventory Management
10. Kitchen Equipment Use
11. Advanced Knife Skills
12. Following Recipes
13. Culinary Skills
14. Mobility
15. Food Safety Knowledge
16. Quality Control
17. Math Skills
18. Attention to Detail
19. Plating and Presentation
20. Work in a Fast-Paced Environment
21. Safety Procedures Knowledge
22. Manual Dexterity
23. Leadership
24. Menu Development
25. 100 Covers Per Night

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. Communication
6. Culinary Skills
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. Advanced Knife Skills
7. Food Safety Knowledge
8. Following Recipes
9. Standing for Long Periods of Time
10. Attention to Detail

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. Service Procedures
6. Expediting
7. Teamwork
8. Professionalism
9. Organizational Skills
10. Quality Control

Sous Chef

1. Communication
2. Leadership
3. Kitchen Management
4. Culinary Skills
5. Inventory Management
6. Team Management
7. Cost Management
8. Menu Development
9. Food Prep
10. Cleaning / Sanitation

Executive Chef

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

Baker

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

Pastry Cook

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

Executive Pastry Chef

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

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