The hospitality sector has seen a near two-fold rise in new jobs over the past two years, according to a new report from hospitality job board Caterer.com and sector skills council People 1st.

Figures reveal 26,550 jobs created in Q2 2009, rising to 45,000 in the same period of 2011, while applicant numbers have risen from 640,000 to 800,000 in the past year.

The report noted an increase in the demand for competent restaurant managers and skilled chefs, with demand for head chefs rising by 34%.

Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, says: “There are far more fantastic opportunities now than ever before for high calibre staff and it is anticipated that this will continue beyond the New Year.”

Ian Burke, director of Caterer.com, adds: “We expect this demand for jobs to increase as we head towards the Olympics in 2012.”