Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

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 still keeping the roots of the trade at the center of everything he does.

In this episode we dig into:
• Growing up in the trades, learning social intelligence from his dad, and what early field life taught him
• What distribution really looks like behind the scenes
• How contractors and distributors can build stronger relationships
• The evolution of residential and light commercial systems — and why training matters more than ever
• HVAC R&D’s five years of Shenanigans and how the show has impacted the trade community
• Mental burnout, balancing passion projects, and staying motivated when life hits hard
• The future of contractors, distribution, and the next five years of HVAC R&D

You’ll also hear stories about racing museums, bourbon collections, pallet-jack shenanigans, crawlspace confessions, Canadian fans, and why HVAC friendships hit different in this industry.

And of course — a Viper ad read to kick things off, because the green stuff gets it done right the first time.

Whether you're HVAC/R, foodservice repair, in distribution, or just love real trade-life conversations, this episode delivers laughs, lessons, and plenty of truth.

Check it out — and support HVAC R&D, the #TradeCrew, and the people who keep this industry moving.

Brought to you by Viper from Refrigeration Technologies

Looking for the toughest chemicals in the game? Viper from Refrigeration Technologies has you covered. From coil cleaners to leak detection and everything in between, Viper products are designed by techs, for techs — built to handle the nastiest jobs without wrecking your equipment. If you want reliable performance, safer chemistry, and products that actually work the way they should, grab Viper and get after it.

Rhydon Atzenhoffer

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 stories, technical insight, career lessons, and the evolution of the entire HVACR, refrigeration, hot-side equipment, and facility management landscape.

John walks us through:
• Starting as a teenage auto/marine mechanic
• Jumping into semi-hermetic compressor rebuilds in the 70s/80s
• Riding in a service truck, learning by fire, and being thrown at massive mechanical systems
• Working grocery store rack refrigeration with HEB
• Moving home and joining Whataburger as a refrigeration mechanic & electrician
• Learning hot-side “by force”
• Diving into electronics and board repair
• Running a refurb depot for fryers, grills, coolers, and beverage equipment
• Becoming a building engineer for an 80,000 sq ft headquarters
• Managing major remodels, rebuilds, and design projects
• Designing the kitchen layout Whataburger still uses today
• Being an early adopter of building controls (CPC/Emerson E2, RS-485 networks, automation)
• Supporting 150+ techs across 17 states with refrigeration, HVAC, and control-system troubleshooting

From 120º ship engine rooms… to rack systems with 300 lbs of lost refrigerant… to fryer redesigns… to the rise of communication-enabled commercial equipment—John has seen it all, fixed it all, and helped shape modern foodservice facility design.

If you’re into commercial kitchen repair, HVACR diagnostics, refrigeration systems, rack refrigeration, marine HVAC, building automation, hot-side equipment troubleshooting, facility innovation, EMS systems, commercial kitchen design, or technician development, this episode is a goldmine.

John drops deep topics like:
• How technicians should approach unfamiliar equipment
• Why electronics changed everything
• The truth about controls vs equipment failure
• The biggest skill gaps in today’s tech workforce
• Why ventilation is the silent killer of commercial kitchens
• What separates a “good tech” from a high-level tech
• How communication tech and remote troubleshooting are reshaping the trade
• Why seeking training—on your own—is the ultimate career cheat code

And of course… some wild stories:
• A grocery case explosion that launched a customer into her own shopping cart
• 120º boiler rooms inside oil tankers
• Construction crews building restaurants wrong and having to tear out walls
• Old-school ice machines that diagnosed themselves
• And plenty more…

This episode is the perfect blend of trade history, tech wisdom, design philosophy, field troubleshooting, and real-world storytelling from one of the most well-rounded professionals in the industry.

If you’re a technician, trainer, designer, engineer, or someone looking to grow in the foodservice equipment or HVACR world—this is a must-listen.

Proudly brought to you by Viper from refrigeration Technologies

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From super-sensitive leak-detection solutions that catch the tiniest refrigerant escapes, to their Viper coil-cleaners that blast away grease and grime—even around food zones! 

Need rugged welding support, OEM-approved non-contaminating sealants, or full-suite HVAC/R chemical solutions? They’ve got you covered. 

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 Clarksville, graduating from both programs in the same year. But while some students drift through their coursework, Jacob’s defining moment came when a teacher challenged him with one simple question: “Don’t you want more out of this?” That spark ignited a drive that still pushes him today. 

Jacob began his career in the deep end — performing HVAC and refrigeration work for gas stations. Within months, he found himself responsible for nearly 100 locations after two senior techs quit, forcing him to learn fast and troubleshoot even faster. Trial by fire became his norm. Those early years taught him discipline, patience, and the ability to stay calm when everything is going wrong — skills that would become core to his success. 

In 2022, Jacob transitioned into the commercial kitchen repair industry after discovering an entirely new world of equipment he never knew existed. Joining Whaley Foodservice was a turning point — he quickly gravitated toward Garland and UNOX equipment, falling in love with the complexity, logic, and challenge these systems bring. Today, he handles some of the busiest locations in the Nashville area, including Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s — thriving in the variety and unpredictability that comes with each call. 

Jacob didn’t stop there. In under a year, he completed three CFESA categories — Steam, Gas, and Electrical — earning his Master Technician certification. For Jacob, it wasn’t just a patch — it was a badge of pride, a symbol of commitment, and proof that investing in your education pays off. He’s now preparing for his mechanical contractor’s license with an eye on future leadership roles in the trade. 

Throughout the episode, Jacob and Pat dive into:
• The early lessons that shaped Jacob’s work ethic
• Why Garland became his go-to specialty and how he approaches troubleshooting
• The explosion of UNOX ovens across the country
• What older techs get wrong about the younger generation
• How sports mentality translates into technician success
• The value of staying calm, thinking clearly, and asking questions
• Why diversity in daily work keeps techs motivated
• Becoming a first-call problem-solver and achieving first-time fixes
• The future of A2L refrigerants and how younger techs can adapt
• The importance of mentors, even old-school beer-can-cold ones
• Why continuous learning is the real differentiator in this trade 

Jacob’s journey is proof that the next generation of techs is not only ready — they’re hungry, capable, and redefining what the future of our industry looks like.

Whether you’re a young apprentice, a seasoned tech, a shop manager, or someone curious about the real stories behind the tools, this episode delivers insight, motivation, and genuine technician-to-technician conversation.

🐍 Looking for the toughest chemicals in the game? Viper from Refrigeration Technologies has you covered. From coil cleaners to leak detection and everything in between, Viper products are made by techs, for techs — built to take on the nastiest jobs without tearing up your equipment. If you want safe chemistry and performance you can rely on every single day, grab Viper and get after it.

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 launched Chef’s Choice Restaurant Repair, a company he and his wife have been running since 2017. Like many small businesses, COVID reshaped the way they operated. He downsized, regrouped, and realized that keeping it small—just him and his wife—gave him exactly what he always wanted: more time. More time for his kids, coaching baseball and softball, hunting and fishing, and building a business that fits the life he values.

In this episode, Troy shares his story of growth, hard work, and choosing “memories over money." Take a listen and let us know:

👉 What part of Troy’s journey speaks to you?
👉 What would you have done differently?
👉 How has your own path in this industry shaped what you value today?

Tune in, drop your thoughts, and help shine a light on another great technician making an impact in the foodservice repair industry. 🎧🔥

Looking for the toughest chemicals in the game? Viper from Refrigeration Technologies has you covered. From coil cleaners to leak detection and everything in between, Viper products are designed by techs, for techs — built to handle the nastiest jobs without wrecking your equipment. If you want reliable performance, safer chemistry, and products that actually work the way they should, grab Viper and get after it.

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 commercial kitchen repair industry, John shares his story of stepping away, coming back after 9/11, and rebuilding the family brand stronger than ever. He talks about what it’s like to lead a team that services chain restaurants, government facilities, and major commercial kitchens, while also managing the exclusive Electro Freeze distribution for North and South Carolina — providing premium frozen dessert equipment to big names like Sonic, Arby’s, and Whataburger.

You’ll hear about:
• The lessons learned from balancing leadership and family legacy
• How Electro Freeze supports technicians and listens to real-world service feedback
• The evolution of HVACR and foodservice repair over the decades
• Why integrity, attitude, and hands-on leadership matter in this industry
• His thoughts on training, technician development, and the next generation of tradespeople

Plus, we dive into funny field stories, the importance of hiring for attitude over skill, and how to adapt leadership for today’s technicians.

🎧 Tune in and learn from one of the most respected leaders in the Carolinas — a man who’s done it all, from janitor to president.

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From coil cleaners to chemical solutions, Viper products are built by techs, for techs. Trusted across the HVACR and foodservice industry for safe, NSF-rated cleaners that keep systems running clean and mean.