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 owning and growing his own shop, Bryan unpacks the highs and lows of building a business, the power of knowing when to scale back, and what it's like working side-by-side with his wife. He also shares his thoughts on refrigeration, the new tech True ice machines, solo operations, burnout, managing people, and why schools, churches, and nursing homes are his ideal customers.

👉 Whether you're a tech looking to go out on your own or a shop owner contemplating growth vs. simplicity, this episode is packed with real talk, lessons learned, and a few good laughs.

🎧 Tune in for insights on:

• Transitioning from hot-side to refrigeration

• The grind and freedom of self-employment

• Customer filtering and knowing your worth

• Working with your spouse (yes, really!)

• Ice machine madness, warranty wars, and keeping your sanity

  
  

  This episode brought to you by https://trutechtools.com

  
  

  Looking for top-quality HVAC/R tools? TruTech Tools is here to help! From instruments to hand tools, in-stock and shipped fast, they have you covered to get the job done right. Visit TruTechTools.com - Quality Tools - Essential Support!

  
  

  Check out Bryan on Reddit

  https://www.reddit.com/r/RestEquipmentRepair/

  
  

  Check out

  https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

  
  

  Huge shout out to the crew at CFESA. You all came in clutch this week. To find out all about what CFESA has to offer for the Foodservice Repair Industry, visit https://cfesa.com

  
  

  #CommercialKitchenRepair
  #FoodserviceRepair
  #HVACRLife
  #RefrigerationTech
  #ApplianceRepair
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  #BlueCollarBusiness
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  #SkilledTrades
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  #TechTraining
  #HobartTech
  #FromRunwaysToRanges

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. Now five years in, she owns her own electrical contracting business, volunteers at trade schools, and is using her voice to inspire women and young people to pursue careers in the skilled trades.

We dig into:

• How a working interview changed her life

• The importance of mentorship over gatekeeping in the trades

• Balancing business ownership with single motherhood

• Teaching apprentices through support — not bullying

• Why women belong in skilled trades (and don’t have to give up being feminine)

• How tradespeople can actually support the next generation

If you're looking for inspiration, real talk, and a deeper look into how the trades can change lives, this episode is a must-listen.

Sponsored by TruTech Tools – your source for top-quality HVAC/R instruments, hand tools, and support. Visit https://trutechtools.com to gear up with tools that get the job done right.

Follow Kelsey here!

https://www.tiktok.com/@thespicysparkykelsey

https://www.instagram.com/thespicysparkykelsey/

https://www.thespicysparkyelectrical.com

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com

🎙️ Guest on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles 🔧
The Commercial Kitchen Chronicles Podcast highlights the people behind the tools — from foodservice equipment techs to pros across all skilled trades. Whether you repair walk-ins, fryers, HVAC, or electrical systems, your story helps inspire, educate, and grow the trades.
🔥 Real conversations. Skilled trades. Industry impact.

Reach out at

Pat@commercialkitchenchronicles.com

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 respected leader in commercial kitchen repair and training. We dive deep into:

🔧 His early days as a helper and rapid rise to senior tech
🎥 His passion for POV repair videos and growing presence as Kitchen Cowboy on social media
🔥 Building hands-on training boards that shoot real fire (yes, really!)
💡 His thoughts on training the next generation of techs
🤖 The rise of automation in foodservice and what excites (or frustrates) him
🛠️ The tools he can’t live without—and how Milwaukee Tools won him over
🎯 Why communication is just as important as technical skills in the field
📚 How self-education and initiative have been key to his success

Whether you're a seasoned tech or just considering the trades, Stuart's story is packed with valuable lessons, laughs, and inspiration.

📲 Follow Stuart on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitchencowboy918/
📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@kitchen_cowboy?si=NtkeYbOqzWWxx8BX

Brought to you by Viper 🐍 from Refrigeration technologies.

🔥 Pro Tip for Commercial Kitchen Pros! 🔥
Brought to you by our friends at Viper HVAC Cleaners — when it comes to keeping your commercial kitchen equipment running at peak performance, clean coils and evaporators are non-negotiable.
That’s where Viper’s NSF-registered cleaning products come in! 🧼
They're safe, powerful, and specifically designed to tackle the grease and grime found in busy foodservice environments. Keep your refrigeration and HVAC systems efficient, extend equipment life, and avoid costly downtime.
👉 Trust Viper — the name the industry relies on for professional-grade system maintenance.

https://www.refrigtech.com

Commercial kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com

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#GrowthMindset

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 talk career pivots in your 30s, the challenges of starting over, and how hands-on training, mentorship, and curiosity fueled his success. Now working on everything from flight dish machines to rack ovens and mixers, Mike shares what makes the foodservice repair industry such a hidden gem.

💡 Whether you're a tech in training, someone looking to switch careers, or a fan of real stories from the field, this episode is full of hard-won lessons and encouragement to keep pushing forward.

🎯 Topics Covered:
✅ How Mike found purpose in the trades
✅ Hobart training, support, and career growth
✅ Diagnosing commercial appliances (mixers, dish machines, ovens)
✅ Why water quality matters in foodservice repair
✅ How the trades provide direction, community, and a career to be proud of

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired by a story of resilience, reinvention, and real-world repair.

This episode is brought to you by TruTech Tools

Looking for top-quality HVAC/R tools? TruTech Tools is here to help! From instruments to hand tools, in-stock and shipped fast, they have you covered to get the job done right. Visit https://trutechtools.com - Quality Tools - Essential Support!

Mike Plaza on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@Hvacmike

Commercial kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com

#CommercialKitchenRepair
#FoodserviceEquipment
#HVACR
#SkilledTrades
#TradeCareers
#CommercialAppliances
#DishMachineRepair
#HobartTech
#BlueCollarLife
#FixItRight
#ServiceTechnician
#TradespersonJourney
#KitchenEquipmentTech
#HandsOnCareer
#TechInTraining
#HVACTech
#FieldServiceLife
#CommercialOvenRepair
#FlightDishwasher
#MixerRepair
#WaterQualityMatters
#LearnTheTrades
#TradeMentorship
#RealWorldSkills
#DontQuit

🎙️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 blueprint for resilience and growth in the trades.

We trace his journey from the early GCS days, where he hired Pat and countless other techs, to his pivotal roles in launching a foodservice repair sector at SafeCare and later joining Vanco, where he played a key role in building and expanding their operations.

🔧 This one’s packed with real-world wisdom and career-defining lessons.

Rusty opens up about:

• His early start in the trades and being mentored by old-school techs

• Transitioning from the field to leadership and mentoring roles

• The strategy and challenges behind building SafeCare’s foodservice division from the ground up

• Helping Vanco grow into a respected name in the service game

• What’s changed — and what still matters most — in technician culture

• Why developing the next generation of techs is the legacy he’s proudest of

💡 With insights on career longevity, mentorship, and industry evolution, this episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about the foodservice repair industry.

🚀 Sponsored by TrueTechTools.com — trusted HVACR and service tools for pros who get the job done right.

Looking for top-quality HVAC/R tools? TruTech Tools is here to help! From instruments to hand tools, in-stock and shipped fast, they have you covered to get the job done right. Visit TruTechTools.com - Quality Tools - Essential Support!

https://trutechtools.com/

Rusty Parke on LinkedIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rusty-parke-14670b32/

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com

#foodserviceequipmentrepair #commercialkitchenservice #technicianmentorship #SafeCare #Vanco #HVACRcareer #skilledtradespodcast #RustyParke #PatFinley #CommercialKitchenChronicles #foodservicetechnician #techniciansuccessstory #TrueTechTools #tradescareerjourney #foodserviceindustry #buildthetrades #serviceindustryleaders #repairtechnicianlife #toolsofthetrade #technicianlegacy

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 honest and empowering journey into the skilled trades. She talks about the moment HVAC clicked, overcoming self-doubt, finding her passion, and using social media to inspire more women to join the field. Megan and Pat add insights from their own paths, discussing education, trade schools, workplace dynamics, and the power of finding the right company culture.

Whether you’re a young tech, a woman considering the trades, or just love a great career-change story, this episode is a must-listen!

🔧 Topics Covered:

• Katey’s leap from hospitality to HVAC

• Trade school vs. on-the-job training

• Women in the skilled trades

• How to inspire the next generation of technicians

• The good, the bad, and the awkward of HVAC TikTok

• Advice for starting your own service business

👉 Follow Katey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kateymerty?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
🎧 Tune in and subscribe to hear stories that celebrate the people who keep our systems running and our industry thriving.

Brought to you by Viper from Refrigeration Technologies

Ever wonder what makes Viper different? It’s not just coil cleaning products—it’s chemistry you can trust, created by a tech, for techs. With over 35 years in the industry, Viper helps keep HVACR systems in top shape.
https://www.refrigtech.com

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com

#HVACLife #WomenInTrades #HVACTikTok #HVACTechnician #SkilledTrades #CommercialKitchenChronicles #HVACGirlie #WomenInHVAC #HVACCommunity #TradeSchool #BlueCollarPride #MechanicalEnvironments #FieldTechLife #FromBartenderToTech #InspiringTechnicians #SkilledTradesMatter #TechCareerPath #HVACPodcast #SupportSkilledTrades #HVACR

🎙️ 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 through installs in scorching Texas attics, and how he leveled up into service and refrigeration work. From tackling defrost clocks to diving into Rational combi ovens, Josh is on a mission to become a fully skilled combo tech—and he’s bringing others along for the ride.

💡 Topics covered:

• Josh’s leap from fast food to HVAC installs

• Getting thrown into refrigeration—trial by fire

• His love for walk-ins and rooftop units

• The power of curiosity and staying a student of the trade

• Hot side goals, CFESA certs, and chasing knowledge

• Building community through TikTok and being real with the next generation

If you’re looking for motivation, laughs, and a look at what it takes to rise in this industry, this is one you don’t want to miss.

📲 Follow Josh: [@JoshDaBoss on TikTok]

https://www.tiktok.com/@joshaustin123?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
🎧 Tune in, share, and help us build the foodservice repair industry—one story at a time.

This episode was brought to you by https://trutechtools.com

Looking for top-quality HVAC/R tools? TruTech Tools is here to help! From instruments to hand tools, in-stock and shipped fast, they have you covered to get the job done right. Visit TruTechTools.com - Quality Tools - Essential Support!

Visit our website to learn more about Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

#HVACR

#RefrigerationTech

#FoodserviceRepair

#TradeLife

#SkilledTrades

#BlueCollarPride

#FixItRight

#ServiceTech

#FieldServiceLife

#CommercialKitchenTech

#FromFastFoodToTrades

#HVACJourney

#ApprenticeToTech

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#ComboTechGoals

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#TechTok

#TikTokTech

#TechContent

#HVACTikTok

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#JoshDaBoss

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