Opsi, a new workflow app for chefs, is one of 40 companies selected as a Minne Inno 2023 Fire Award Honoree. In its sixth year, the Fire Awards are Minne Inno’s recognition program honoring the startups, growing companies, organizations and people leading the local innovation economy.
Says opsi Co-Founder James Passafaro, “It’s very exciting to be recognized as one of the companies leading innovation in Minneapolis. We’re proud of the app we’ve created for kitchen workflow, and it’s an honor to be recognized for the hard work that’s brought us this far.”
Opsi was started by Passafaro, a restaurant industry veteran with over 15 years of experience as a chef and his childhood friend, Matt Luckey, who has a background in product design. The longtime friends and New Jersey natives combined forces with the idea to centralize workflows in the kitchen and maximize efficiency in what can often be a hectic work environment. Passafaro knew the solution needed to come from someone directly involved with the problem at hand. He piloted the technology in the kitchens where he worked, including Spoon and Stable, alongside award-winning chef and opsi partner, Gavin Kaysen.
Luckey took the lead on the product design side and helped develop the idea for opsi into a full fledged kitchen tool that centralizes communication and streamlines recipe book management, task lists, ordering, employee training and onboarding. Opsi removes paper clutter, optimizes efficiency and can be easily accessed by all members of a kitchen team from any smartphone or tablet.
Says Luckey, “James identified the various inefficiencies in kitchen operations and reached out to me to help modernize these workflows. We’ve since developed the opsi technology into an easy-to-implement and easy-to-use application suitable for team members of all experience levels. Opsi is now being used by some of the top restaurants and hospitality groups in the nation.”
Opsi has the opportunity to be selected as the number one company in the Hospitality Category by a panel of esteemed judges, and named one of 10 Inno Blazers winners which will be announced on July 28, 2023.