Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles
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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.

  1. 3 days ago

    Episode 202: Matthew Lemaster, Are We Preparing HVACR Techs for the Real World?

    What does it really take to prepare the next generation of HVACR technicians for the field? This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Matthew LeMaster, HVACR instructor at the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College, to talk about what happens between the classroom and that first real service call. Matthew didn’t originally plan on becoming an instructor. After working in commercial HVAC and serving as a field supervisor, a phone call from one of his former instructors opened the door to teaching. Once he stepped into the classroom, he was hooked. Today, he helps lead a nationally accredited HVACR program focused on giving students more than just enough knowledge to pass a test. We get into the realities of HVACR education, including one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry: graduating from trade school doesn’t automatically make someone a fully independent service technician. Matthew explains why his goal is to get students roughly 85–90% of the way there, while internships, mentorship, employer training, and real-world experience finish the job. We also dig into: • Why HVACR theory still matters before touching the equipment • Teaching troubleshooting instead of just memorizing procedures • Why AIRFLOW needs more attention in HVACR training • Why gauges shouldn't always be the first tool out of the bag • Analog gauges vs. digital manifolds and probes • Using technology without letting it replace actual understanding • Building confidence in new technicians • Why soft skills and customer service are critical to a technician's success • What employers should realistically expect from new graduates • Getting manufacturers and contractors more involved with trade schools • Why instructors need to stay connected to the field • The strengths—and challenges—of the next generation of HVACR technicians • ESCO, HVAC Excellence, and Matthew's CSME in Technical Education • What Matthew wants his legacy as an instructor to ultimately be One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is simple: training technicians isn't just about refrigeration cycles, electrical troubleshooting, superheat, subcooling, airflow, or knowing how to use a meter. It's about developing technicians who can THINK, troubleshoot, communicate with customers, adapt to technology, and continue learning after they leave the classroom. Matthew also shares why he wants every student who comes through his program to know they were seen, heard, and supported—not treated like another number. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-lemaster-3493653a3/ https://www.escogroup.org/ 🐍 THIS EPISODE IS SUPPORTED BY VIPER Today's episode is brought to you by Viper from Refrigeration Technologies. From coil cleaners and drain treatments to specialty chemicals designed for HVAC/R professionals, Viper products are built for technicians who need products that work in the real world. Whether you're servicing HVAC, refrigeration, or commercial kitchen equipment, check out Viper and the complete lineup from Refrigeration Technologies. https://www.refrigtech.com/ If you're an HVACR technician, instructor, contractor, service manager, trade school student, or anyone concerned about where the next generation of skilled trades professionals is coming from, this is a conversation worth hearing. Commercial Kitchen Chronicles is The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast, bringing together technicians, trainers, manufacturers, educators, and industry leaders to have the conversations that move the skilled trades forward. 👉 Subscribe and follow Commercial Kitchen Chronicles so you don't miss an episode. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ 👍 If this episode brought you value, share it with another technician, instructor, student, or service manager. 💬 What do YOU think HVACR programs and employers need to do differently to prepare the next generation of technicians? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

    Episode 202: Matthew Lemaster, Are We Preparing HVACR Techs for the Real World?

  2. 30 Aug

    Episode 201: Heatcraft’s Chris Thomas Talks Refrigeration, Training & the Future

    Commercial refrigeration is changing fast—but the fundamentals still matter. In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Chris Thomas of Heatcraft Refrigeration Products for a deep dive into refrigeration, technician training, troubleshooting, system charging, controls, and where the industry is headed. Chris brings more than four decades of HVAC/R experience, from residential and commercial HVAC to chillers, supermarket rack refrigeration, technical training, field support, and his current role supporting technicians and products at Heatcraft. We get into Heatcraft itself, including the history behind brands like Bohn, Larkin, Chandler, Climate Control, and Magna, along with the evolution of refrigeration controls from Beacon to today's intelliGen platform. One of the biggest themes of this episode is something every technician needs to hear: Understanding how equipment is SUPPOSED to operate is the foundation of troubleshooting it when something goes wrong. Chris explains how modern controls can give technicians valuable system information before they arrive on site—including temperatures, superheat, operating conditions, and even the ability to initiate a defrost remotely. Technology isn't replacing the technician. It's giving a knowledgeable technician better information. But technology can't replace fundamentals. We talk about technician curiosity, asking WHY instead of simply looking for an answer, learning sequence of operation, reaching out for help, and investing as much into training as we invest into tools. Then we get into a conversation guaranteed to get refrigeration technicians talking: How should you actually charge a commercial refrigeration system? Chris breaks down charging problems Heatcraft encounters in the field and why relying on shortcuts, rules of thumb, or a clear sight glass can send technicians in the wrong direction. We discuss receivers, line length, refrigerant differences, manufacturer charging information, and why system design and application matter. We also talk about proper installation and maintenance. Even the best refrigeration equipment depends on correct sizing, installation, commissioning, service, and maintenance. Throughout the conversation, Chris and Pat get into: • Commercial refrigeration troubleshooting• Heatcraft refrigeration equipment• Bohn, Larkin, Chandler & other Heatcraft brands• intelliGen refrigeration controls• Walk-in cooler and freezer systems• Refrigeration system charging• Sight glasses and refrigerant charge• Receivers and liquid-line considerations• Superheat and subcooling• System sizing and application• OEM technical support• Technician training and continuing education• Analog vs. digital refrigeration tools• Troubleshooting without jumping to conclusions• Building strong fundamentals• The future of commercial refrigeration Whether you're a seasoned refrigeration technician, just getting started in HVAC/R, or responsible for training the next generation, there's something in this conversation for you. The biggest takeaway? Stay curious. The technicians who keep asking questions, keep learning, understand the fundamentals, and aren't afraid to admit when they don't know something are the technicians who will be prepared for whatever refrigeration throws at us next. https://www.heatcraftrpd.com/ Catch up with Chris Thomas https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-thomas-8b12031b2/ Commercial Kitchen Chronicles is the original foodservice equipment repair podcast—built by technicians, for technicians. If you work on commercial refrigeration, walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, restaurant equipment, HVAC/R, ice machines, cooking equipment, warewashing equipment, or foodservice equipment, follow Commercial Kitchen Chronicles so you don't miss the next episode. If you enjoyed the conversation, leave a rating or review and share it with another technician. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

    Episode 201: Heatcraft’s Chris Thomas Talks Refrigeration, Training & the Future

  3. 28 Aug

    Episode 200: 200 Episodes Later… We’re Just Getting Started | Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

    WE MADE IT TO 200! Commercial Kitchen Chronicles officially hits EPISODE 200! What started as a way to talk shop and shine a light on the foodservice equipment repair industry has somehow turned into 200 episodes of technicians, manufacturers, trainers, business owners, skilled trades conversations, questionable opinions, trash talking, and plenty of completely unscripted moments. For Episode 200, Pat is joined by Jason Latimer and Rich Ortega to celebrate the milestone, look back at the journey, and talk about where everyone — and the industry — is headed next. We get into career changes, growing businesses, training technicians, developing the next generation of tradespeople, and what happens when your career starts taking you in directions you never expected. Pat breaks down the CFESA Top Tech Throwdown and the effort that went into creating a hands-on competition designed to showcase the skills of commercial food equipment service technicians. Refrigeration, brazing, troubleshooting and real-world technical skills were put front and center. That leads into a bigger conversation about one of the biggest challenges facing the skilled trades: developing young technicians. Instead of constantly complaining that nobody wants to work anymore, maybe it's time we ask ourselves what we're doing to teach, mentor and create opportunities for the people entering the industry. Rich also gives us an update on growing his service business, hiring technicians, adding office support and reaching the point where NOT hiring someone becomes a bigger risk than making the investment. And because this is CKC, we eventually get completely sidetracked. Trade shows, AHR Expo, NAFEM, HVAC Tactical Awards, social media, AI-generated content, the future of CKC and plenty of other topics make their way into the conversation. But we couldn't celebrate EPISODE 200 without going BIG. THE CKC EPISODE 200 GIVEAWAY IS HERE! Some incredible companies from across the industry stepped up with tools, equipment, swag and prizes to help us celebrate, including TruTech Tools, UEI Test Instruments, Ambro Controls, Refrigeration Technologies, Kolpak, Kason and more. Watch Commercial Kitchen Chronicles social media for giveaway details and your chance to win. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ VIPER & REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGIES Two hundred episodes means a lot of conversations about doing the job right — and that starts with having products you can trust in the field. That's why we're proud to have Viper from Refrigeration Technologies supporting Commercial Kitchen Chronicles. From Viper WetRag Heat Blocking Putty and Venom Packs to Nylog Blue, Big Blu leak detector and the chemicals technicians reach for every day, Refrigeration Technologies builds products specifically for HVAC/R and refrigeration professionals. Whether you're brazing, leak checking, cleaning coils or servicing refrigeration equipment, check out the Viper lineup from Refrigeration Technologies. Support the companies that support technicians and the skilled trades. https://www.refrigtech.com/ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Episode 200 isn't really about a number. It's about everyone who has watched a livestream, downloaded an episode, left a comment, shared a video, stopped us at a trade show, appeared as a guest, supported the show or told another technician about Commercial Kitchen Chronicles. YOU are the reason we made it here. And we're not finished. Listen to the full episode, subscribe, share it with another technician and leave us a comment: How long have you been following CKC, and what do you want to see from us over the next 200 episodes? Thanks for helping us get to 200. Now let's see where this thing goes next. Want to be a guest on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles? Interested? Shoot me a DM and let’s get you on the schedule. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

    Episode 200: 200 Episodes Later… We’re Just Getting Started | Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

  4. 21 Aug

    Episode 199: Hands-On Isn’t Enough: Rethinking HVAC Training

    What actually makes great HVAC training? It isn't memorizing a PowerPoint, following a checklist, or teaching technicians to become parts changers. Great training should teach technicians how to THINK, troubleshoot, ask questions, find reliable information, and understand why a system is doing what it's doing. This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with HVACR trainer, consultant, researcher, and longtime technician Eric Kaiser for a conversation focused heavily on HVAC training, technician development, building performance, troubleshooting, and the future of the skilled trades. Eric started in the HVAC trade more than 20 years ago as a residential service technician. Early in his career, training wasn't optional. Before working independently on fuel-fired equipment, he went through an intensive combustion analysis class. That emphasis on education helped develop something that would shape his entire career: curiosity. That curiosity took Eric from residential service into commercial and industrial HVACR, distributor technical support, industry engagement, HVAC education, consulting, research, building science, and building performance. A major focus of this conversation is HOW we train technicians. Hands-on training is important, but sometimes we need "brains on" training too. Are we teaching technicians how to diagnose a system, or just giving them procedures to follow? Can they understand airflow, refrigeration, combustion, electrical systems, and building performance well enough to recognize when something doesn't make sense? More importantly, are we teaching technicians how to find the answer? Pat and Eric discuss combustion analysis, airflow, air balancing, belts and sheaves, pulley alignment, lubrication, makeup air, refrigeration, HVAC maintenance, building science, indoor air quality, human comfort, troubleshooting, technical support, and why experienced technicians should never stop learning. They also tackle one of the biggest challenges facing today's HVACR technician: information. Technicians now have YouTube, social media, forums, manufacturer documentation, technical support, Google, online training, and artificial intelligence at their fingertips. But having more information doesn't mean that information is correct. Knowing how to research, verify technical information, read manufacturer literature, ask better questions, and recognize bad advice may be one of the most important skills we can teach the next generation of technicians. Eric also discusses his evolution as an instructor and moving away from "death by PowerPoint." Effective HVAC education should be interactive. Ask questions. Encourage discussion. Challenge technicians to think. Adapt the training to the people in the room. The goal isn't simply helping someone pass a test. It's developing better technicians. https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kaiser-323a1563/ https://www.instagram.com/hvac_elk/?hl=en The conversation also explores mentorship, building performance, indoor comfort, manufacturer consulting, product development, research, and helping technicians understand the relationship between HVAC equipment and the building it's conditioning. And when you're putting that knowledge to work in the field, the products you use matter. Viper products from Refrigeration Technologies are built around the work HVACR and refrigeration technicians perform every day. From cleaning and maintenance products to Nylog, leak detection, and other technician essentials, Viper gives technicians products designed to help get the job done right. https://www.refrigtech.com/ If you're an HVAC technician, refrigeration technician, commercial HVACR technician, foodservice equipment repair technician, instructor, trainer, service manager, contractor, or manufacturer, this conversation is for you. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

    Episode 199: Hands-On Isn’t Enough: Rethinking HVAC Training

  5. 14 Aug

    Episode 198:

    Are we really struggling to find the next generation of technicians… or are we struggling to TRAIN them? On this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, I sit down with Ty Branaman, CMHE — Head of Training for The GRIT Foundation, Field Trainer for Kalos Services, Love2HVAC edutainer, Aether Training consultant, and the one and only Banana Man. https://www.love2hvac.com/ www.youtube.com/@love2hvac https://www.instagram.com/love2hvac https://www.tiktok.com/@love2hvac This conversation goes way beyond the usual “Gen Z doesn’t want to work” argument. Ty has spent years working with technicians, students, instructors, companies, and young people entering the skilled trades. We talk about what he’s actually seeing from the next generation and whether some of the problems we blame on Gen Z might really be problems with how we recruit, teach, mentor, and develop technicians. Are we training them wrong? We get into: Why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools in trainingUsing questions instead of simply giving technicians the answerAllowing trainees to make controlled mistakes and learn from themWhy great technicians don’t automatically make great trainersHands-on training versus simply reading a textbookTeaching troubleshooting instead of memorizing answersWhy different technicians need concepts explained in different waysAirflow, refrigeration, electrical, brazing, piping, tools, and diagnosticsHow teaching can make the instructor a better technicianThe role YouTube, social media, and industry educators play in HVAC/R educationOur responsibility to pass knowledge to the next generationWe also dive into The GRIT Foundation and its hands-on camps, where young people get the opportunity to actually experience the trades. https://www.thegritfoundation.com/ Ty pushes back against the idea that young people simply don’t want to work. Give them an opportunity to build something, troubleshoot, use tools, and understand how things work, and that curiosity is still there. Maybe Gen Z isn’t the problem. Maybe we need to rethink how we reach them. Whether you're an HVAC technician, refrigeration technician, commercial kitchen equipment technician, apprentice, instructor, service manager, or anyone responsible for technician development, this conversation is for you. Commercial Kitchen Chronicles is proud to be sponsored by Viper from Refrigeration Technologies. HVAC/R and commercial kitchen technicians know what grease, dirt, and harsh environments can do to coils and equipment. Viper offers professional cleaning products developed with technicians in mind, helping us tackle condenser coils, evaporators, and some of the nastiest equipment we encounter in the field. Professional products for professional technicians. https://www.refrigtech.com/ https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ Commercial Kitchen Chronicles is The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast — sharing the stories, knowledge, and experiences of the technicians, trainers, manufacturers, service companies, and industry leaders keeping commercial kitchens running. Follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with another technician. Want to be a guest or know someone whose story needs to be heard? Visit Commercial Kitchen Chronicles online to apply or nominate a future guest. The future of the trades isn’t going to build itself. We have to teach it. #HVAC #HVACR #SkilledTrades #HVACTraining #CommercialKitchenChronicles

    Episode 198:

  6. 31 Jul

    Episode 197:Joe Sharp Returns: No Excuses, Just Better Service | Building a Better Service Company

    What does it take to build the service company you always wished existed? In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Joe Sharp returns for his third appearance, and as always, he doesn't hold back. From his days as a restaurant facilities manager to becoming a service technician, business owner, and YouTube creator, Joe shares the lessons he's learned from every side of the commercial foodservice industry. The conversation dives into what separates average service companies from exceptional ones, why customer trust is earned—not expected—and how technicians can raise the standard of professionalism. Joe also shares his thoughts on overly engineered equipment, the importance of accountability, creating content without filters, and why authenticity matters more than polished production. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to build a service company that customers want to call back, this episode is packed with practical insight and honest conversation. Joe Sharp https://www.youtube.com/@restaurantrepairs https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-sharp-13743978/ Whether you're a technician, service manager, business owner, or simply passionate about the skilled trades, there's something here for you. A special thanks to our episode sponsor, AMBRO Controls. Stay tuned—later this week, the team at AMBRO is launching their new Oxy Kits... and brazing just got better. They've replaced the popular Oxyset Kit with the new Oxy Precision Kit. It delivers the same portability technicians already love, now paired with a dedicated Precision Torch for greater control during detailed HVAC/R repairs and work in tight spaces. Also joining the lineup is the new OxyMax Kit, a complete commercial HVAC/R brazing solution featuring a larger caddy and three torch options—Precision, Pro, and Power—giving you the versatility to braze everything from 1/8-inch to 3-inch pipe while also welding, cutting, and heating with one portable system. Whether you need pinpoint precision or maximum performance, Ambro Controls has you covered. Visit their website and check out the new range. https://ambrocontrols.com/ Enjoyed this episode? There's plenty more where that came from. Visit CommercialKitchenChronicles.com to watch past episodes, listen to the podcast, read industry content, and stay up to date on what's happening across the foodservice service industry. Know someone with a story worth sharing? Or want to be a guest yourself? We're always looking for technicians, trainers, manufacturers, service leaders, and industry professionals with real-world experience to educate, inspire, and connect the trades. Visit the website to nominate a guest or submit your own story. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ #CommercialKitchenChronicles #HVACR #FoodserviceEquipment #SkilledTrades #CommercialRefrigeration

  7. 17 Jul

    Episode 196:The Evolution of Commercial Kitchen Service | Rich Griffin

    The Evolution of Commercial Kitchen Service with Rich Griffin | 50 Years of Experience, Electrical Fundamentals & Technician Development What does nearly 50 years in the commercial foodservice industry teach you? This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with Rich Griffin, a respected industry veteran whose career has taken him from service technician, to business owner, to Regional Service Manager at Frymaster. Rich has spent decades training technicians, supporting Authorized Service Agents (ASAs), working alongside engineering teams, and helping shape the future of commercial kitchen equipment service. In this episode, Rich shares lessons that only come from a lifetime in the field. From the evolution of commercial kitchen service to why today's technicians are struggling with electrical fundamentals, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for technicians, trainers, service managers, and anyone passionate about the skilled trades. Rich's journey through nearly five decades in the tradesOwning and operating a successful commercial kitchen service companyThe transition from independent service company owner to FrymasterThe relationship between manufacturers and Authorized Service Agents (ASAs)Why electrical fundamentals are the foundation of every great technicianHow commercial kitchen equipment has evolved over the yearsTechnician training, mentorship, and developing the next generationCommon mistakes technicians make when troubleshootingThe future of commercial foodservice equipment service Whether you're a seasoned technician or just getting started in commercial kitchen repair, HVAC/R, refrigeration, or foodservice equipment service, this episode delivers valuable insight from someone who's seen the industry evolve firsthand. Today's episode is brought to you by Viper by Refrigeration Technologies. When you're working in commercial kitchens, grease, carbon, and grime are part of the job. That's why technicians trust Viper for professional-grade coil cleaners, drain treatments, lubricants, sealants, and specialty chemicals designed specifically for the HVAC/R and commercial foodservice industries. From condenser coil maintenance to leak prevention and system protection, Viper products help you get the job done right the first time. Learn more about the complete Viper lineup and ask your local distributor to stock Viper products. https://www.refrigtech.com/ If you enjoyed this conversation: ✅ Follow Commercial Kitchen Chronicles on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.✅ Leave a 5-star review—it helps more technicians discover the show.✅ Share this episode with a coworker, apprentice, or anyone looking to grow in the skilled trades.✅ Interested in being a guest or partnering with the show? Reach out through our social media channels or email us—we're always looking to highlight great people making an impact in the foodservice equipment repair industry. Real Techs. Real Stories. Real Solutions. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ #CommercialKitchenChronicles #FoodserviceEquipment #CommercialKitchenRepair #HVACR #Refrigeration #RestaurantEquipment #SkilledTrades #TechnicianTraining #ElectricalTroubleshooting #Frymaster #FoodserviceRepair #TradesPodcast

    Episode 196:The Evolution of Commercial Kitchen Service | Rich Griffin

  8. 10 Jul

    Episode 195: How the Trades Changed My Life | Jameson Lolos | Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

    How the Trades Changed My Life | Jameson Lolos | Commercial Kitchen Chronicles Sometimes the path to the skilled trades isn't a straight line. In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Jameson Lolos to discuss a journey that started in a technical high school HVAC program, detoured through college and student debt, and ultimately led him back to the trades he was meant to be in. https://www.instagram.com/jameson_jude/?hl=en Jameson shares how a temporary residential HVAC installation job turned into a rewarding career in commercial foodservice equipment repair. From surviving layoffs and navigating career changes during the pandemic to becoming a service manager helping build a brand-new service department at Gillette Restaurant Equipment, his story is one of resilience, growth, and finding purpose through hard work. The conversation also dives into fatherhood, leadership, continuing education, technician development, and why the skilled trades continue to provide incredible opportunities for those willing to learn. Whether you're an experienced commercial kitchen technician, HVACR professional, apprentice, service manager, or someone considering a career in the trades, this episode is packed with honest conversations, career advice, and motivation. In this episode you'll hear about: Finding your way back to the skilled tradesTrade school vs. college and lessons learnedResidential HVAC compared to commercial kitchen equipment repairOvercoming layoffs and career setbacksBuilding a commercial foodservice service departmentLeadership, technician growth, and continuous learningBalancing family life with a demanding service careerWhy commercial kitchen equipment repair is such a rewarding careerA huge thank you to our episode sponsor, Viper by Refrigeration Technologies. From trusted coil cleaners and leak detection products to Nylog, WetRag heat-blocking gel, lubricants, and system protection solutions, Viper manufactures products designed by technicians for technicians. Learn why professionals across the HVACR and commercial refrigeration industries trust Viper every day. https://www.refrigtech.com/ 🎙️ Enjoying the show?Help us continue growing the foodservice equipment repair community by: Subscribing on your favorite podcast platformLeaving a 5-star reviewSharing this episode with another technicianFollowing Commercial Kitchen Chronicles on YouTube and social media https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ Want to be a guest on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles?We're always looking for technicians, trainers, manufacturers, service managers, business owners, and industry leaders with a story worth sharing. If you're passionate about the skilled trades and want to inspire the next generation, we'd love to have you on the show. Reach out through our social media channels or contact us to be featured on a future episode. #CommercialKitchenChronicles #CommercialKitchenEquipment #FoodserviceEquipment #HVACR #CommercialRefrigeration #RestaurantEquipment #SkilledTrades #HVACTechnician #RefrigerationTechnician #TradesLife

    Episode 195: How the Trades Changed My Life | Jameson Lolos | Commercial Kitchen Chronicles
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Commercial Kitchen Chronicles
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    203
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Commercial Kitchen Chronicles
  • Show Website
    Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

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