Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, I sit down with Sally Ray, VP of Marketing at Hoshizaki America, to talk about where the foodservice equipment industry is headed and what it means for technicians in the field.We dive into the Hoshizaki Alliance and how it’s bringing together multiple brands to create more complete solutions for operators, while also opening the door for better innovation, support, and product development. Sally shares her journey into the industry, what her role really looks like behind the scenes, and how customer feedback is directly shaping the equipment we work on every day.We also get into new product launches, trends coming out of major trade shows, and the ongoing refrigerant transition—including what techs can expect as more R290 and A2L equipment continues to hit the field.This conversation is all about connecting the dots between manufacturers, technicians, and end users—and giving you a better understanding of why things are changing and how to stay ahead of it.This episode is brought to you by Ambro Controls. If you’re doing brazing, nitrogen purging, or precision work in the field, Ambro has the tools built for real-world conditions. From portable torch setups to complete kits, it’s gear designed to give you control, consistency, and cleaner results on every job.https://ambrocontrols.com/Find out more about Hoshizaki and more here. https://www.hoshizakiamerica.com/https://hoshizakialliance.com/Connect with Commercial Kitchen Chronicles herehttps://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/#hvacr #hvactech #refrigeration #commercialrefrigeration #icemachines #hoshizaki #foodserviceequipment #commercialkitchen #kitchenequipment #restaurantindustry #restaurantrepair #servicetech #fieldservice #skilledtrades #tradeslife #bluecollar #tradesman #hvaclife #refrigerationtech #equipmentrepair #cfesa #foodserviceindustry #kitchenrepair #techlife #toolsandtrades #hvactraining #refrigerationtraining #tradestraining #r290 #a2l #refrigerant #commercialappliances #restauranttech #foodservicepro #kitcheninnovation #hvacrindustry #mechanicaltrades #workforce #tradescareers #learnatrade

What happens when a technician with zero formal training, 27 years in the field, and a passion for helping others decides to just… start sharing?You get Johnny Hall — the voice behind Let’s Be Techs.In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with Johnny to break down how a simple idea — “let us be techs… let’s learn together” — turned into one of the most authentic, no-BS communities in the trades.This isn’t about polished content or textbook answers.This is about:– Learning the hard way in the field– Figuring things out without a roadmap– Building real skills without formal schooling– And why community matters more now than ever in HVACR and skilled tradesJohnny shares his journey from coming up in the trade with no traditional path, to becoming a content creator who’s helping thousands of technicians think differently, troubleshoot smarter, and grow faster.We also get into:– Why too many techs are left to “figure it out” alone– The gap between experience and training– The power of sharing knowledge openly– And what the next generation of technicians actually needsIf you’ve ever felt like you were thrown to the wolves in this trade… this episode is going to hit home.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation👇 Drop your thoughts — are we building better techs, or just hoping they survive?This episode is brought to you by Viper Coil CleanersIf you’re working in commercial kitchens, you already know — grease gets everywhere, especially on coils.That’s where Viper coil cleaners come in.Viper’s non-corrosive, technician-safe formulas are designed to cut through heavy buildup without damaging the equipment you’re trying to protect.No harsh acids, no unnecessary risk — just powerful, effective cleaning that keeps systems running the way they should.If you service restaurant equipment, make sure Viper is on your truck.https://www.refrigtech.com/Connect with Johnny and Let's Be Techshttps://www.facebook.com/letsbetechshttps://www.instagram.com/lets_be_techs/https://www.youtube.com/@LetsBeTechshttps://www.tiktok.com/@letsbetechsCommercial Kitchen Chronicleshttps://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/#HVAC #HVACR #Refrigeration #CommercialKitchen #FoodserviceEquipment #TechnicianLife #SkilledTrades #BlueCollar #TradesLife #ServiceTech #HVACTech #RefrigerationTech #FieldService #HVACTraining #TradeSchoolAlternative #LearnTheTrade #OnTheTools #TechLife #HVACCommunity #BlueCollarLife #WorkInTheTrades #NextGenTrades #ToolsOfTheTrade #ServiceIndustry #KitchenEquipment #FixItLife #NoDaysOff #GrindMode #TradeTalk #LetsBeTechs

What if the kid who barely made it through high school…ended up working on rack refrigeration systems, cascade units, and even equipment supporting F-15 fighter jets?Yeah… that’s this episode.On this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, I sit down with Mike Folta—a technician with 16 years of real-world experience in commercial HVACR and foodservice equipment repair who proves you don’t need a perfect start to build a serious career in the skilled trades.Mike’s story isn’t polished.It’s not textbook.And it definitely isn’t what most people think success looks like.He walked the graduation stage… and still had to go back to summer school.No formal trade school.No institutional training.And now?He’s:CFESA certified (multiple times)Working toward Master CertificationA former Subject Matter Advisor for Interplay LearningExperienced in everything from commercial kitchen equipment to rack systems, cascade refrigeration, and advanced testing equipment most techs will never touchSo here’s the real question…👉 Do you actually need trade school to succeed in HVACR and foodservice repair… or are we lying to the next generation?We get into:The truth about learning in the trades without formal trainingWhat separates average techs from elite onesRack systems and cascade systems (and why they intimidate so many techs)The reality of leveling up in commercial HVAC and refrigerationHow this industry can completely change your life—if you let itThis episode is for:✔️ New techs trying to figure it out✔️ Experienced techs stuck in a rut✔️ Anyone thinking about getting into HVACR or commercial kitchen repair✔️ Anyone who’s ever been told they weren’t “cut out” for success💥 If you’ve ever doubted yourself… this one’s going to hit.This episode is brought to you by the Viper crew over at Refrigeration Technologies—the same products a lot of us are using every single day in the field.From coil cleaners and ice machine cleaners to Big Blu and Nylog, their stuff is built for real techs doing real work. NSF rated, jobsite proven, and it flat out gets it done.If you’re not running Viper in your van yet… you might be making your life harder than it needs to be.https://www.refrigtech.com/What do you think?Do you NEED trade school to succeed in HVACR…or is experience the real teacher?👇 Drop your take, share this episode with another tech, and let’s get the conversation going.Mike Foltahttps://www.tiktok.com/@kades_cardshttps://www.instagram.com/kades_cards490/?hl=enCheck out the latest on our websitehttps://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

In this special in-person episode of the Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, recorded at the headquarters of Parts Town, I finally caught up with John Warpinski, the Senior Director of Customer Partnerships – HVAC at Parts Town.John brings a deep background in the HVAC industry, and in this conversation we dive into his journey through the trades before stepping into his leadership role at Parts Town. From the field to the business side of the industry, John shares the experiences that shaped his perspective on HVAC service, technician support, and building stronger partnerships across the trades.We break down what Parts Town is doing for the HVAC community, how they’re supporting contractors and service technicians, and why their approach to OEM parts distribution, supply chain logistics, and technician support is making a real impact in the field. If you’ve ever wondered how a company like Parts Town works behind the scenes to keep restaurants, commercial kitchens, and facilities running, this episode pulls back the curtain.John also shares real-world stories about how fast parts availability, strong manufacturer relationships, and industry partnerships help technicians solve problems faster and take better care of their customers. From emergency repairs to keeping mission-critical equipment running, the discussion highlights how the HVACR and foodservice equipment repair industries rely on strong collaboration between technicians, manufacturers, and suppliers.This episode is packed with insights on:The evolution of the HVAC and HVACR service industryHow Parts Town supports technicians and contractorsThe importance of OEM replacement parts and fast parts distributionBuilding partnerships that strengthen the skilled trades communitySupporting technicians who keep commercial kitchens and facilities operationalIf you’re a service technician, HVAC contractor, refrigeration tech, or foodservice equipment professional, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the right partnerships and resources can make your job easier in the field.At Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, our mission is to shine a spotlight on the technicians, innovators, and industry leaders who keep the equipment running and the industry moving forward.🎧 Listen in as we sit down with John Warpinski at Parts Town and talk about the future of HVAC, technician support, and the partnerships that power the industry.https://www.partstown.com/Commercial Kitchen Chronicleshttps://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

In this episode of the Commercial Kitchen Chronicles podcast, Pat Finley and Rich Ortega sit down with Matt Golden and Megan McIntosh from Mechanical Environments to talk about one of the most specialized corners of the mechanical industry — HVAC systems for cannabis cultivation facilities.Grow operations are a completely different animal when it comes to mechanical systems. Temperature, humidity, airflow, and environmental stability are not just about comfort. They directly impact plant health, yield, and profitability. One wrong variable can cost a grower serious money.Matt and Megan walk us through what it takes to design, install, and service HVAC systems in controlled environment agriculture. From dehumidification strategies and airflow management to the challenges of scaling mechanical solutions for cannabis facilities, this conversation dives deep into a niche that is rapidly growing across the HVAC and mechanical contracting world.Megan also shares her journey in the trades after being named Lady of the Trades at the HVAC Tactical Awards, and what it takes to earn credibility in a highly technical and demanding sector of the industry.This episode is packed with real-world insights for HVAC technicians, mechanical contractors, and anyone interested in specialized HVAC design, controlled environment agriculture, and building a niche in the trades.And a big thank you to Viper from Refrigeration Technologies for supporting the show. Whether you're maintaining commercial kitchen equipment, servicing refrigeration systems, or working in precision climate environments, Viper products are built for technicians who demand reliability. From Nylog sealants to coil cleaners and system maintenance products, they help keep systems operating the way they should in the field.https://www.refrigtech.com/If you're looking to level up your HVAC knowledge, understand the business of specialized mechanical contracting, or explore how controlled environment systems are shaping the future of the trade, this is an episode you don't want to miss.https://mechanicalenvironments.com/https://linktr.ee/mechanicalenvironments?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=1094bdd6-5840-4b62-a509-b416beb05d92https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/