x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

A look at what it takes to keep a commercial kitchen running. We are going to highlight all of the skilled trades it takes to keep them running.

business careers

All Episodes

00:33:42

episode 170:Roaches, Grease, and “Nope”: Tech Horror...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2026/01/16

What do you do when you open a panel and roaches start crawling out like they pay rent?Or when grease has literally vacuum-sealed a fryer to the wall?Or when you realize the ice machine you’re working on should probably be condemned… and set on fire?In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat and Rich sit down together in person from South Carolina ahead of the CFESA Region 4 meeting to talk about the nasty side of the trade that nobody warns you about — but every technician eventually

en

00:38:45

Episode 169: Think You’re a Top Tech? CFESA’s...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2026/01/09

n this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with Dan Reese from CFESA to break down one of the biggest technician-focused initiatives our industry has ever launched — CFESA’s Top Tech Throwdown.This isn’t about ego.This isn’t about social media hype.This is about skill, process, safety, and pride in the craft.The Top Tech Throwdown is a skills-based competition built specifically for CFESA Master Certified Technicians, separating hot side and cold side competitors and

en

01:10:07

Episode 168:Wrenches, Work, and Real Life: A...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/12/19

Welcome back to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast.This episode is our official Year in Review, and it’s one of the most real conversations we’ve had all year. Pat Finley is joined by co-hosts Jason Latimer and Rich Ortega as we sit down to reflect on everything that went right, everything that went wrong, and everything we learned along the way.With no guest and no script, we dig into the reality of life in the commercial kitchen equipment repair and

en

00:54:47

Epsiode 167:From 28 Years Behind a Desk to...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/12/12

What does it really take to walk away from a 28-year corporate career and start over in the skilled trades?In this powerful episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast, host Pat Finley sits down with Corrie Phillips, a commercial foodservice refrigeration technician who made the leap from the corporate world into HVACR and never looked back.Corrie shares her raw, honest journey—from working behind a desk for nearly three decades to enrolling in

en

00:45:54

Episode 166:

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/12/11

Welcome back to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast! Today’s guest is DJ Coblentz, the Lead Technical Trainer at Viega’s brand-new state-of-the-art Ohio facility. If you’ve ever pressed a fitting, installed MegaPress, fought with threaded gas pipe, or wondered what it’s like behind the scenes at Viega’s manufacturing and training center — THIS is the episode for you. DJ shares his journey from the field to the classroom, how Viega is reshaping the

en

01:05:33

Episode 165:Building Better Contractors: Rhydon...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/12/05

This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat and Jason sit down with Rhydon Atzenhoffer — the Voice of Distribution, host of the HVAC R&D Podcast, and a guy who has lived HVAC life from the trenches to the top.Born and raised in his dad’s heating and air business in the mountains of North Carolina, Rhydon worked his way up from rough-in crews to sales, project management, and eventually wholesale distribution. Today he’s an Account Executive helping contractors build better businesses while

en

01:02:59

Episode 164:The Evolution of a Tech: A Deep Dive Into...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/11/28

In this powerhouse episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with industry legend John Bettiga—a man whose career spans automotive and marine mechanics, semi-hermetic compressor rebuilding, commercial/industrial/marine refrigeration, grocery rack systems, Whataburger facilities, building controls, kitchen design, and supporting 150+ technicians across 17 states.This is one of the most wide-ranging and knowledge-packed conversations ever recorded on CKC, and it’s loaded with real-world

en

00:54:19

Episode 163:Young Guns – The Rise of Jacob Caira

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/11/21

In this powerful Young Guns episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley sits down with 26-year-old technician Jacob Caira, one of the brightest rising stars in the commercial kitchen and HVAC-R trade. Jacob’s story is a blueprint for what hard work, curiosity, and dedication can produce — even at a young age.Born and raised in the countryside of Middle Tennessee, Jacob took the leap into HVAC-R early. During his senior year of high school, he enrolled in tech school at TCAT

en

00:59:57

Episode 162:The Journey of Troy Duff — From...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/11/14

This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we’re joined by Troy Duff—a Virginia-based tech who’s carved out his own lane in the foodservice repair world. Troy started out as an electrician before taking a leap into the industry with Hobart, working alongside his grandfather who inspired his path. From running installs across Richmond and Norfolk to handling service calls, Troy climbed through the ranks and built a strong foundation in the trade.Eventually, he broke out on his own and

en

01:09:28

Episode 161:John Faust on Family Business, Leadership...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/10/31

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley and co-host Rich Ortega sit down with John Faust, President & CEO of Troubleshooter Mechanical Services and Electro Freeze of the Carolinas.John’s journey is one of grit, service, and leadership — from his days in the U.S. Air Force avionics systems to a career in IT for Hilton Hotels, and eventually taking over the family mechanical contracting business that’s been running strong since 1989.With over 30 years in the HVACR and

en

01:06:13

Episode 160:tching Up with Loretta Mealor — CFESA...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/10/24

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley is joined by returning guest Loretta Mealor from Austin Mealor’s Restaurant Service Equipment Repair — alongside cohost Rich Ortega of On The Rock Services.The trio dives deep into the CFESA Conference, Loretta’s first year serving on the CFESA Board of Directors, her committee work with CFESA Cares and Education & Training, and the growing impact of technician development programs. Loretta shares her insights on mentorship, technician

en

00:51:05

Episode 159:🎙️Difference Makers – Women in HVACR

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/10/17

This week, Pat sits down with three incredible women who are shaping the future of the HVACR and foodservice industries — Becca Stamey from Refrigeration Technologies, Jessica Slaughter from RLS, and Megan McIntosh from Mechanical Environments.Fresh off their wins at the Women in HVACR Conference, these leaders share their journeys, the meaning behind their awards, and what drives them to keep breaking barriers. From fieldwork and content creation to marketing and mentorship, each guest brings a

en

00:37:49

Episode 158: Eric Holder and Leroy Fearon from Unox

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/10/10

Recorded live at the CFESA Annual Conference at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Arizona, this episode features LeRoy Fearon and Eric Holder from UNOX.We dive into their paths into the trades, the experiences that shaped their careers, and how they found their way to their current roles at UNOX. They share insights on what drives their passion for the foodservice industry, their commitment to innovation, and the importance of staying hands-on and connected to the field.We also talk about the new UNOX

en

00:50:37

Episode 157:Eighteen and Fixing Fryers: The James...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/10/03

Eighteen years old, outdoorsy, and already wrenching on commercial kitchen gear like a pro — meet James McCanless. In this Young Gun Spotlight, James shares how he went from mowing grass and slinging lattes to climbing McDonald’s rooftops and fixing fryers. From being laid off by the city at 15, to landing an apprenticeship through Austin & Loretta Mealer’s program at Dyersburg State, James proves you don’t need a college degree to find a rewarding, hands-on career.We talk hunting season,

en

00:48:01

Episode 156 : Jay Maiden and A2L Refrigerants...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/09/26

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with Jay Maiden, Director of Service at Kolpak/RDI and Retired Navy Chief, to cut through the noise surrounding A2L refrigerants in commercial refrigeration. With so much hype, fear, and misinformation out there—especially in the HVAC comfort cooling space—this conversation is all about facts, not scare tactics.Jay explains Kolpak’s transition to R-454C for PolarPak self-contained units and the upcoming move to R-454A for split

en

00:48:08

Episode 155:From the Line to the Toolbox: A Chef’s...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/09/19

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with Mike Horbach to explore his unique journey from the fast-paced life of a chef to building a rewarding career in foodservice equipment repair. Mike’s story proves that your next career opportunity could be right in front of you—and you might not even realize it.Mike opens up about his years working long, grueling hours in kitchens ranging from concession stands to hotels, and how a simple connection through family and friends led him

en

00:39:51

Episode 154: The End of Brazing? Parker Sporlan’s...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/09/12

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley sits down with Mallory David from Parker Sporlan to talk all things ZoomLock MAX and ZoomLock Push fittings—the game-changing press and push technology that’s transforming the HVACR and refrigeration industries.With the rise of A2L refrigerants (and even A3s on the horizon), technicians are quickly realizing the value of press fittings to save time, reduce leaks, and improve safety on the job. Mallory shares her background as a

en

01:07:07

Episode 153: CKC Live Hangout | Commercial Kitchen...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/08/29

In this special Commercial Kitchen Chronicles Live Hangout, Pat Finley is back with Jason Latimer and Rich Ortega for a no-filter, laid-back conversation straight from the heart of the foodservice repair industry. 🍳🔧This episode isn’t your typical interview—it’s an open mic where we shoot the breeze, talk about the ups and downs of being technicians, running businesses, and balancing the chaos of service calls with real life. From lighting up a cigar after a brutal day to joking about who’s

en

01:02:13

Episode 152: Finding Your Path in the Trades: Chris...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/08/22

From starting out in a warehouse at just 18 years old to building a career that’s left a lasting mark on the HVACR and foodservice repair industry, Chris Nixon has seen it all. In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley and co-host Jason Latimer sit down with Chris to unpack his incredible journey—from humble beginnings, learning the ropes in residential, to becoming a leader in commercial refrigeration and HVAC.Chris shares the real-life challenges of finding his path, the

en

01:15:54

Episode 151: HVAC, Refrigeration, and the Road to...

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles ·

2025/08/15

On this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with Scott Kline — a seasoned HVACR professional with 18 years under his belt in residential installs, commercial HVAC, and refrigeration. Texas HVACR licensed since 2013, Scott now runs his own company, Authentic HVAC, where he blends hands-on skill with the freedom of self-employment.Scott’s journey takes us from his early days in Snydertown, Pennsylvania, through years of learning the ropes in the field, to eventually taking the leap

en

171 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Handelsblatt Crime - spannende Streitfälle der deutschen Wirtschaft

Ina Karabasz, Solveig Gode, Sönke Iwersen

Deffner und Zschäpitz – Der Wirtschafts-Talk von WELT

WELT

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...