n this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with Dan Reese from CFESA to break down one of the biggest technician-focused initiatives our industry has ever launched — CFESA’s Top Tech Throwdown.

This isn’t about ego.
This isn’t about social media hype.
This is about skill, process, safety, and pride in the craft.

The Top Tech Throwdown is a skills-based competition built specifically for CFESA Master Certified Technicians, separating hot side and cold side competitors and testing what actually matters in the field — diagnostics, troubleshooting, theory, hands-on ability, documentation, and decision-making.

Seven stations.
Real-world scenarios.
Timed, judged, and scored by CFESA-certified trainers.

Regional winners walk away with prize packages, recognition, and an invitation to compete at the National Championship at CFESA Global Headquarters, where the stakes get even higher — including a championship belt, national recognition, and serious bragging rights.

If you’re a CFESA Master Tech, this is your moment.
Get uncomfortable.
Step up.
Show what you know.

If you’re on the fence, ask yourself this:
If you’re confident in your skills, why not prove it?

And for owners and managers — this is a chance to showcase the technician who represents your company every single day in the field. Sending a tech to compete says something about your standards, your culture, and your commitment to excellence.

📣 Calling tool manufacturers and industry partners:
This competition is about highlighting the best technicians in foodservice equipment repair. Prize donations directly support technician development, recognition, and visibility across the industry. If you want your tools in the hands of top-tier techs — this is where you belong.

👉 Learn more and get signed up at CFESA.com → Events → Top Tech Throwdown

Let’s raise the bar.
Let’s showcase the trade.
Let’s find out who the Top Tech really is. 🔧🏆

More Info Here

https://cfesa.com/top-tech-throwdown/

Check out the website

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

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Welcome back to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast.

This episode is our official Year in Review, and it’s one of the most real conversations we’ve had all year. Pat Finley is joined by co-hosts Jason Latimer and Rich Ortega as we sit down to reflect on everything that went right, everything that went wrong, and everything we learned along the way.

With no guest and no script, we dig into the reality of life in the commercial kitchen equipment repair and HVACR world — from running service companies and managing technicians, to burnout, growth, family, customers, and the hard decisions that shape a career in the trades.

In this episode, we talk about:
• Wins, losses, and lessons from the past year
• Growing a service business and managing technicians
• Customers, expectations, and when to fire accounts
• Overtime, on-call life, and holiday service realities
• Training the next generation of techs
• CFESA, Top Tech Throwdown, and industry competitions
• Trade shows, AHR Expo, and networking in the trades
• Family life, work-life balance, and long-term goals
• Why relationships matter more than revenue
• What we’re changing — and what we’re doubling down on — next year

This is a raw, honest conversation about what it really takes to survive and thrive in the skilled trades. If you’re a commercial kitchen technician, HVACR tech, service manager, business owner, or someone thinking about getting into the industry, this episode will hit home.

Whether you’re running calls, running a business, or just trying to figure out what’s next — you’re not alone.

🐍 Episode Sponsor: Viper / Refrigeration Technologies

This episode is brought to you by Viper / Refrigeration Technologies — the tech-trusted brand behind industry staples like Nylog, Big Blu leak detector, Viper wet rags, and the chemicals and tools technicians rely on every single day.

Built by techs, for techs, Viper products help you work cleaner, faster, and smarter in the field. If it’s on our trucks, there’s a reason.

Learn more at Refrigeration Technologies and see why Viper continues to support the skilled trades and the technicians who keep kitchens running. 🐍

🎧 Commercial Kitchen Chronicles
Real conversations. Real technicians. Real life in the trades.

Refrigeration Technologies

https://www.refrigtech.com/

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

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#FoodserviceEquipmentRepair
#HVACR
#CommercialKitchen
#KitchenEquipmentRepair
#ServiceTechnician
#SkilledTrades
#BlueCollar
#TradeLife
#TechnicianLife
#FieldService
#ServiceIndustry
#RefrigerationTech
#HVACTech
#HotSideColdSide
#CFESA
#TopTechThrowdown
#TradeShows
#AHRExpo
#TechLife
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#YearInReview
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#SupportTheTrades
#ViperTools
#RefrigerationTechnologies 🐍

What does it really take to walk away from a 28-year corporate career and start over in the skilled trades?

In this powerful episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast, host Pat Finley sits down with Corrie Phillips, a commercial foodservice refrigeration technician who made the leap from the corporate world into HVACR and never looked back.

Corrie shares her raw, honest journey—from working behind a desk for nearly three decades to enrolling in technical school, taking a massive pay cut, and building a successful career in commercial refrigeration, warewashing, and kitchen equipment service. This conversation dives deep into what it’s really like to start over later in life, overcome imposter syndrome, and find purpose working with your hands in the trades.

This episode is packed with insight for:

• Anyone stuck in an office job dreaming of a career change

• New and aspiring HVACR or foodservice equipment technicians

• Women considering a career in the skilled trades

• Technicians navigating self-doubt, learning curves, and long days in the field

Corrie talks about learning the language of refrigeration, adapting to the chaos of commercial kitchens, building trust with customers, and why patience is one of the most important skills a technician can develop. She also shares how communication, customer service, and life experience can be just as valuable as technical knowledge.

You’ll also hear why refrigeration “clicked” for her, how mentorship and asking questions accelerated her growth, and why the trades offer financial freedom, job security, and real fulfillment—at any age.

• Transitioning from a 28-year corporate career into HVACR

• What it’s like starting over in the trades later in life

• Learning refrigeration, warewashing, hot side, and bakery equipment

• Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a technician

• Why communication skills matter just as much as technical skills

• The reality of working inside busy commercial kitchens

• Women in HVACR and foodservice equipment repair

• Advice for anyone considering trade school or a career change

If you’re not using Viper, you’re working too hard.

Viper by Refrigeration Technologies is built for the exact messes we deal with every day in commercial kitchens. Viper cuts grease, cleans condenser coils, and melts the nastiest buildup off kitchen equipment. It’s food safe, powerful, and proven in the field by technicians who actually use it.

Throw a bottle of Viper on the truck and make your next service call easier.
Learn more at https://www.refrigtech.com/

Follow Corrie on social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coolergirl_corrie?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@coolergirl_corrie?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

If this episode inspired you, share it with someone stuck behind a desk who needs to hear this story.

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/