Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

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 develo...

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 ...

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...

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 degre...

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 Pola...

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 ho...

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...

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. Fro...

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 H...

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 year...

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:

• His rapid rise from dispatcher to op...

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 industry

• The importance of mentorship and...

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 raw conversation about:

• The origin and p...

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 crash led him to HVAC school at 30

• Making th...

In this icy-cool episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Stephanie Wall from True Refrigerationto 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 machine that’s ready to dominate the market.

We ...

🎙️ 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 of fate steered him into the trades—an...

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 evolution and impact of Viega’s press technolo...

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 world. From a stint at Hobart to ow...

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 analysis, CO safety, and the real-world applic...