Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

About Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

A look at what it takes to keep a commercial kitchen running. We are going to highlight all of the skilled trades it takes to keep them running.

Publisher

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Apr 2022

Latest episode

23 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

2 of 206 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   23 Oct 2026

   Episode 207: Six Figures at 21?! Is KyleDoesHVAC Changing the Rules of HVAC/R Success?

   Six Figures at 21: The Next Generation of HVAC/R with KyleDoesHVAC 21 years old. Two years in HVAC/R. Six-figure income. And responsible for helping maintain more than 1,100 compressors. Meanwhile, there are technicians who've spent 20 years in the industry and still haven't reached that level of income. So what's Kyle Coleman doing differently? Is it hard work, the right opportunities, or is the next generation of technicians rewriting the rules of success in the skilled trades? This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles – The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast, we're joined by Kyle Coleman, better known as @KyleDoesHVAC, for a conversation that challenges some long-held beliefs about experience, earning potential, and what it really takes to succeed in HVAC/R. Kyle didn't follow the traditional path. From struggling academically and spending his teenage years playing video games to working grueling hours in the oil fields, attending HVAC school, and building a six-figure career in commercial HVAC/R, his journey is anything but ordinary. Today, Kyle helps maintain 32 Braum's Ice Cream locations across Kansas and Oklahoma, covering HVAC, commercial refrigeration, and foodservice equipment. He's also built a social media audience of more than 23,000 followers by sharing his experiences, technical knowledge, and career advice. But here's where the conversation gets interesting. Does experience automatically equal value? Are younger technicians being underestimated? And are employers doing enough to recognize and reward technicians who are willing to put in the work? We're getting into all of it. 🔧 Kyle's journey from an uncertain teenager to a six-figure HVAC/R technician. 💰 How he reached six figures at 21 and what it actually took to get there. ❄️ The challenges of maintaining commercial HVAC, refrigeration, and kitchen equipment across 32 restaurant locations. 🎓 HVAC school versus real-world experience and the importance of hands-on training. 👊 The generational divide between younger and experienced technicians. 📱 Building @KyleDoesHVAC and navigating criticism, social media, and industry recognition. 🤝 Why mentorship, humility, and surrounding yourself with the right people matter. 🚀 How ambition, work ethic, and recognizing opportunities can accelerate your career. Is Kyle an exception to the rule, or proof that the HVAC/R industry needs to rethink how we measure success? Whether you're a seasoned technician, someone just getting started, an employer struggling to recruit young talent, or someone considering a career in the skilled trades, this is a conversation worth hearing. This episode is brought to you by Ambro Controls, supporting the technicians and professionals who keep our industry moving. https://ambrocontrols.com/ (https://ambrocontrols.com/) 📱 Follow Kyle Coleman: @KyleDoesHVAC https://www.instagram.com/kyledoeshvac (https://www.instagram.com/kyledoeshvac) 🎙️ Follow Commercial Kitchen Chronicles on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and your favorite podcast platforms. 🌐 https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ (https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/) ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? Follow, leave us a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear that success in the skilled trades isn't determined by age alone. The next generation isn't waiting 20 years to make its mark on this industry. The question is, are we ready to support them? #CommercialKitchenChronicles #KyleDoesHVAC #AmbroControls #HVACR #CommercialRefrigeration #SkilledTrades #HVACTechnician #FoodserviceEquipmentRepair #BlueCollar #HVACCareers

2. 

   16 Oct 2026

   Episode 206: Breaking Barriers & Building Confidence in HVAC with HVAC.Clara

   You don't have to know everything to belong in the skilled trades. But are we doing enough to help the next generation succeed? In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we head to Ontario, Canada, to sit down with Clara, better known as @HVAC.Clara, for an honest conversation about life as an HVAC service technician, breaking into the skilled trades, and building confidence one service call at a time. After working at McDonald's and being unsure of her career path, Clara stumbled into an HVAC program and discovered a career she loves. Now, with her G2 gas license and refrigeration apprenticeship underway, she's navigating everything from residential furnaces and heat pumps to commercial refrigeration. But this conversation goes well beyond troubleshooting equipment! 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: 🔧 Finding Your Place in HVAC: Discovering a passion for service work, troubleshooting, and fixing equipment. 🇨🇦 Canada vs. United States: Differences in HVAC licensing, apprenticeships, Red Seal certification, and technician development. 💪 Building Confidence: Running your own service van, handling unfamiliar equipment, asking for help, and realizing experienced technicians don't know everything. ❄️ Residential vs. Commercial HVAC/R: Transitioning into commercial refrigeration and learning from every service call. 👩🔧 Women in the Skilled Trades: Working in a male-dominated industry and encouraging more women to pursue HVAC careers. 👶 Motherhood & Work-Life Balance: Balancing service work, raising a young child, and personal growth. 📱 Social Media & HVAC Content Creation: Building an online presence, dealing with trolls, criticism, and connecting with technicians. 🎯 The Future of the Trades: What needs to change to attract, train, and retain the next generation. Clara shares stories from the field, the realities of being an apprentice, and why she's not afraid to admit when she's still learning. Find CLara here: https://www.instagram.com/hvac.clara/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/hvac.clara/?hl=en) Whether you're an HVAC apprentice, experienced technician, refrigeration mechanic, instructor, or considering a career in the trades, this conversation is for you! 🐍 PROUDLY SPONSORED BY VIPER FROM REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGIES! If you work in commercial kitchens, you know grease gets everywhere, especially on coils! Viper Coil Cleaners from Refrigeration Technologies offer professional cleaning solutions designed to tackle heavy buildup without relying on harsh acids. Their non-corrosive, technician-friendly formulas help keep HVAC/R and commercial refrigeration equipment clean and operating efficiently. Make sure Viper is on your truck! Learn more: https://www.refrigtech.com (https://www.refrigtech.com/) 🎙️ JOIN THE CONVERSATION! Does the HVAC industry do enough to support apprentices and encourage women to enter the trades? Or are we making it harder than necessary? 👇 Share your thoughts! 📲 CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Instagram: @HVAC.Clara 🎧 FOLLOW COMMERCIAL KITCHEN CHRONICLES: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favorite podcast platforms. 🌐 https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com (https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/) ⭐ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review, share it with a fellow technician, and help us highlight the people keeping the skilled trades moving forward! Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast. #CommercialKitchenChronicles #HVACClara #WomenInHVAC #WomenInTrades #HVACR #HVACTechnician #HVACApprentice #CommercialRefrigeration #SkilledTrades #HVACPodcast #Viper #RefrigerationTechnologies #TradeCareers

3. 

   9 Oct 2026

   Episode 205: uilt Different: Raising the Standard in HVAC Training with Josh Pickel

   Are we actually developing skilled technicians, or are we just rushing people through training to fill empty service trucks? In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with 26-year HVAC veteran, instructor, and newly published author Josh Pickel, better known as “Professor Pickel,” for a conversation about training, technician development, leadership, and what it really means to be BUILT DIFFERENT. Josh started his career in HVAC straight out of high school and spent nearly two decades working for a company in Pennsylvania before eventually making his way to Florida. Today, he's a Senior Service Technician and the Director and Lead Instructor of Anthony's Cool School, where he's helping prepare the next generation of HVAC professionals. But Josh isn't interested in simply handing students a certificate and sending them into the field. His approach focuses on building strong fundamentals, developing critical thinking, creating opportunities for hands-on learning, and continuing to support technicians long after they leave the classroom. We get into some important conversations about the future of the skilled trades: Can a six-week accelerated HVAC program really prepare someone for a career in the field? What's the difference between teaching someone technical information and developing a competent technician? Are we doing enough to mentor and support new technicians? Why do refrigeration fundamentals and airflow matter so much in HVAC training? How important are communication, accountability, leadership, and mindset to a technician's success? What responsibility do technicians have for their own continued education and professional growth? We also dive into Josh's newly published book, Built Different: Dirty Hands, Clear Minds, and the Blue Collar Path to a Life Worth Living. Josh shares the personal story behind writing the book, the encouragement he received from his wife, and why he believes the skilled trades offer something much bigger than a paycheck. One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation? You don't have to completely reinvent yourself overnight. Just make an intentional effort to get 1% better every day. Whether you're an HVAC technician, commercial refrigeration technician, foodservice equipment repair professional, instructor, service manager, or someone considering a career in the trades, there's something in this conversation for you. Grease, dirt, and buildup are everyday challenges when servicing commercial kitchen refrigeration and HVAC equipment. Get your copy here https://amzn.to/4emPsXE (https://amzn.to/4emPsXE) Viper coil cleaners from Refrigeration Technologies are designed to tackle heavy buildup with non-corrosive, technician-safe cleaning solutions that help keep equipment operating efficiently. Keep Viper on your truck and be ready for the next dirty coil. Learn more: https://www.refrigtech.com (https://www.refrigtech.com) Do you believe we're doing enough to properly train and develop the next generation of skilled trades professionals? Are we building competent technicians, or just trying to get more people into service trucks? We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts, experiences, and opinions in the comments. Subscribe to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, share this episode with another technician, and help us continue highlighting the people, stories, and challenges shaping the foodservice equipment repair and HVACR industries. Visit: https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ (https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/) Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast. For Techs. By Techs. #CommercialKitchenChronicles #JoshPickel #BuiltDifferent #HVAC #HVACR #SkilledTrades #HVACTraining #TechnicianDevelopment #CommercialRefrigeration #BlueCollar #TradeEducation #RefrigerationTechnologies #Viper

Inside a recent episode

Episode 135: 🔥 Catching Up with David Jones – New Roles, New Perspectives! 🔥

Published 4 Apr 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] But once you get to the other side of it, you see that growth that took place and that's, that's really special. Be able to see that in other people and that's, that's been a fun thing to be able to do now because I have more of a leadership role with the company is being able to, to teach, you know, some of the people in the office and things and being able to show them, hey, there's this and this. You know, I, one of the stupid things that I share with everybody is I have this crazy database that lets you break down the nomenclature on every AC unit through all the different variations that being able to tell, you know, down to the week or the day of the year that it was manufactured. […]

Who has been a guest on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Jeremiah Johnson
• Stephanie Wall
• Aidan Lucey
• Seth Hiler
• Bryan O’Hern

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

877,477

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

25 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 80 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

95

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

77

Contact Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Commercial Kitchen Chronicles