Simplifying Kubernetes, One Container at a Time – with Anthony Chu

Coding After Work Podcast

In this episode, recorded live at Microsoft Build, we sit down with the always insightful Anthony Chu, Principal PM at Microsoft, to explore the world of Azure Container Apps. Anthony brings a unique developer-first perspective on simplifying complex cloud infrastructure, weaving together topics like Dapr, serverless GPUs, dynamic sessions, and even a surprising amount of pasta talk.

Whether you're new to containers or neck-deep in Kubernetes YAML files, there's something for everyone here, especially if you're into Marvel vs. DC debates or want to know which Spider-Man reigns supreme.

Guest: 🎤 Anthony Chu – Principal Product Manager at Microsoft, working on Azure Container Apps

Blog: https://anthonychu.ca/ Bluesky: @anthonychu.ca Topics Discussed:

• What Azure Container Apps actually are, and how they simplify Kubernetes

• Comparing Container Apps, Azure Functions, and App Services

• When to choose Kubernetes over Container Apps—and when not to

• What Dapr is and how it fits into the microservices puzzle

• Dynamic Sessions: running untrusted code safely for AI and agent-based scenarios

• Serverless GPUs and running custom models

• Real-world use cases and architecture patterns combining apps and jobs

• How open telemetry is built-in, with zero SDKs needed

• The impact of MCP (Multi-channel Processing) and the evolution of cloud-native AI workloads

• Anthony's journey from being a user of Azure Functions and Blazor to shaping them as a PM

• The importance of networking at conferences—and a great story from NDC London 2016

• Anthony's culinary skills, first computer, favorite superhero, and... the great Spider-Man debate

Special thanks to Daniel Hindrikes for audio mixing