Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

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 t...

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 commitmen...

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 pr...

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 exp...

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 ki...

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 p...

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 chao...

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 lea...

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 Sn...

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we sit down with Cody Robinson of AmeriServe — a rising force in the foodservice repair industry. Cody’s journey started behind the scenes as a dispatcher just four years ago, and now he’s leading the charge in operations and shaping the future of the industry through his role as co-chair of CFESA’s Young Professionals Committee. We talk about: H...

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we sit down with Stephen Smith, the force behind the  Everything HVACR  YouTube channel and a seasoned technician with over 20 years in the trade. From commercial installs to becoming a field support manager at KCC Manufacturing, Stephen has seen it all—and he’s not done yet. We dive deep into: His journey through the skilled trades and HVACR ind...

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we’re joined by none other than  Chris Stephens , the force behind the massively popular  HVACR Videos  channel. 🎥 From dissecting complex refrigeration issues to being a voice of honesty and transparency in the skilled trades, Chris has become one of the most respected names in the industry. Host  Pat Finley  sits down with Chris for a real and...

From Farming to Freon: The Refrigeration Journey of Jeremiah Johnson  🚛❄️ In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , Pat Finley sits down with Montana-based refrigeration pro  Jeremiah Johnson , who shares his inspiring journey from  residential HVAC  and  construction framing  to running his own  refrigeration business  in rural Montana. 🇺🇸 🔥 Jeremiah talks about: How the 2009 housing...

In this icy-cool episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , Pat sits down with  Stephanie Wall  from  True Refrigeration to dive into the cutting-edge world of  True Ice Machines . From R290 refrigerant and antimicrobial plastics to advanced  Time-of-Flight  sensors and near-instant harvest cycles, Stephanie reveals how True has engineered a smarter, more efficient, and technician-friendly ice ma...

🎙️  Episode Title: "20 Years, 2 Countries, 1 Tech: Aidan Lucey's Journey Through the Trades" In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we sit down with refrigeration pro Aidan Lucey, whose 20-year journey in the trade spans two continents. From humble beginnings in Ireland installing 80 mini splits, to chasing down leaks in Canadian grocery stores, Aidan shares how a twist...

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we sit down with  Seth Hiler , Technical Trainer at  Viega , to explore how Viega is reshaping plumbing and mechanical training across North America. From the oilfield and coal mines to Colorado State University and now the classroom, Seth brings real-world experience into Viega’s hands-on, technician-driven programs. 🎯 What we cover: The evolut...

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Bryan O’Hern, owner/operator of Coyle Appliance Repair based in the South Metro area of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Bryan shares his incredible path from aviation mechanic to commercial kitchen lone wolf. After starting in aircraft maintenance, 9/11 changed everything—forcing a pivot that eventually led him into the foodservice repair...

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , host Pat Finley reconnects with  Louise Kellar , National Training Manager at  UEi Test Instruments  and one of the  Top 25 Most Influential Trainers of 2025 . Louise shares her unexpected journey from retail management to becoming a nationally recognized leader in  HVAC/R education and training , while offering valuable insight into  combustion...

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , Pat and special guest cohost Megan McIntosh sit down with Kelsey Whittenberg — better known as  The Spicy Sparky  — for an unfiltered, powerful conversation about life, the trades, and building a career from the ground up. Kelsey became an  electrician at 30  with zero experience, two kids, and no plan — just a willingness to learn and work hard....

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , host Pat Finley and co-host Jason Latimer are joined by  Stuart Reiman , senior technician and field supervisor at Hagar Restaurant Service in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With over 13 years of experience in the foodservice equipment industry, Stuart shares his incredible journey from managing Tulsa’s longest-running hip-hop and R&B club to becoming a re...

In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we sit down with  Michael Plezia  to explore his  unconventional journey into the trades . From  dropping out of high school  and working in  retail and foodservice , to discovering a passion for  HVAC, plumbing, and commercial kitchen equipment repair , Mike opens up about what led him to his current role as a  Hobart Service technician . 🛠️ We...

🎙️ 35 Years in the Game: Rusty Parke's Legacy in Foodservice Equipment Repair In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , host Pat Finley reconnects with a true mentor and industry legend —  Rusty Parke , who has been grinding in the  foodservice equipment repair industry for over 35 years . From crawling in attics at age 12 to helping shape companies and careers, Rusty’s story is a bl...

In this inspiring episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we're stepping out of the kitchen and into the world of HVAC! Pat is joined by special guest co-host Megan McIntosh from Mechanical Environments, and together they welcome rising TikTok star and HVAC advocate Katey, better known as  HVACGirlie . From bartending in a resort town to rocking rooftops and running calls, Katey shares her hon...

🎙️  From Fast Food to Foodservice Pro: Josh Austin’s Journey in HVACR & Refrigeration In this episode of  Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , host Pat Finley sits down with rising HVACR technician Josh Austin—aka @JoshDaBoss on TikTok—for a raw and inspiring conversation about his transition from flipping burgers to fixing walk-ins and RTUs. Josh shares how he stumbled into the trades, his grind t...

🔥 Catching Up with David Jones – New Roles, New Perspectives!  🔥 In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley and Jason Latimer welcome back  David Jones , now serving as  Director of Sales and Marketing . David shares how he’s handling the new responsibilities, expanding his team, and navigating time management challenges. We also dive into his experiences attending recent indus...