Terms of use

Welcome to Chef and Guests. By accessing or using our website and services, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. Please read them carefully before making a booking or registering as a chef on our platform.

These Terms are divided into three parts: General Terms (which apply to all users), Terms for Chefs, and Terms for Clients (Diners). All users are bound by the General Terms. Chefs are additionally bound by the Chef Terms, and Diners by the Client Terms.

The following definitions apply throughout these Terms & Conditions:

• Chef and Guests, we, us, our: the company operating the Chef and Guests platform, Chef and Guests (Pty) Ltd, registered in South Africa under registration number 2018/335351/07.
• Platform: the Chef and Guests website, booking system, and all associated digital services at chefnguests.co.za.
• Chef: an independent professional registered on the Platform to offer private dining services. Chefs are not employees, agents, or representatives of Chef and Guests.
• Diner / Client: an individual or group using the Platform to request or book a private chef experience.
• Booking: a confirmed agreement between a Diner and a Chef for the provision of private dining services at a specific time and location, facilitated through the Platform.
• Booking Value: the total price payable by the Diner for the Chef service booked, including all line items on the invoice.
• Booking Fee: a non-refundable service charge collected at the time of booking, covering platform administration, secure payment processing, and chef matching.
• Menu Costs: the total Booking Value excluding the Booking Fee.
• Chef’s Share: the portion of the Booking Value payable to the Chef after platform fees, as agreed in the Chef Agreement provided during onboarding.
• Chef Agreement: the private contract signed between Chef and Guests and each Chef during onboarding, setting out financial terms, commission structure, and additional obligations.
• Event: the private dining experience delivered by a Chef at the Diner’s location or an agreed venue on the confirmed booking date.

These General Terms apply to all users of the Chef and Guests platform, including both Chefs and Diners.

Chef and Guests operates as an online marketplace that connects Diners with independent professional Chefs for private dining experiences at home or in exclusive venues.

Chef and Guests acts solely as an intermediary platform. We do not employ Chefs, and Chefs are not agents, employees, or representatives of Chef and Guests. All cooking services are performed directly by Chefs acting under their own full and sole responsibility.

By using the Chef and Guests platform, you confirm that:

• You are at least 18 years of age
• You have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement
• You are using the platform for lawful purposes only
• All information you provide during registration or booking is accurate and complete

Chef and Guests reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account where these conditions are not met.

Chef and Guests reserves the right to:

• Modify, update, or discontinue any feature of the platform at any time.
• Temporarily or permanently suspend access to all or part of the website for technical, operational, or legal reasons.
• Update these Terms & Conditions at any time, changes will be published on the website and, where material, communicated to registered users via email.

Note: Continued use of the platform after changes are published constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the platform.

All client payments are processed securely via our payment partners, PayGate for South African bookings and PayPal for international bookings. Chef and Guests does not store card or banking details on its servers. All transactions are encrypted and processed in accordance with applicable payment security standards (PCI-DSS).

All payments must be made through the Platform. Off-platform payments are strictly prohibited and void all protections provided by Chef and Guests.

Neither Chef and Guests nor any Chef shall be liable for failure to fulfil obligations under these Terms where such failure results from circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, acts of government, public health emergencies, severe weather, power outages, or civil unrest.

In such circumstances, Chef and Guests will make reasonable efforts to reschedule the booking or issue an appropriate refund at its discretion. Both parties must notify Chef and Guests immediately and provide evidence of the force majeure event where possible.

All content on the Chef and Guests website and platform, including but not limited to text, images, logos, design, and software, is the property of Chef and Guests and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

By submitting content to the platform (including profile photos, bios, and menu descriptions), Chefs grant Chef and Guests a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display, promote, and reproduce that content on the platform and in marketing materials. Chefs’ names and likenesses will be credited appropriately.

You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from any Chef and Guests content without prior written permission.

We are committed to complying with applicable data protection laws, including:

• The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), South Africa.
• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), where applicable to EU residents.
• Applicable US state privacy laws, where required by the laws of the state in which you reside, including but not limited to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
• The Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data (PDPL), where applicable to UAE residents. 

Your personal data is used solely for the purpose of facilitating bookings, processing payments, and improving our platform. We do not sell personal data to third parties.

Chef and Guests shall take all reasonable steps to protect the personal information of all users in accordance with applicable South African law. For the purpose of this clause, “personal information” shall be defined as detailed in the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). The POPIA may be accessed at: www.gov.za/documents/protection-personal-information-act

Personal information collected through the platform is used solely to facilitate bookings, process payments, and improve our services. It is stored securely, accessed only by authorised personnel, and will not be sold or disclosed to third parties except as necessary to deliver our services or as required by law.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.

For users based in the United States, these Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except where prohibited by law.

Before initiating any formal dispute process, both parties agree to first attempt resolution in good faith by contacting Chef and Guests at info@chefnguests.co.za. Chef and Guests will use its best efforts to facilitate an amicable resolution.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable under applicable law, that provision shall be deemed severable and shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions.

These Terms & Conditions, together with our Privacy Policy, the Chef Agreement (where applicable), and any booking confirmation issued by Chef and Guests, constitute the entire agreement between you and Chef and Guests regarding your use of the platform.

These Terms apply specifically to Diners making bookings through the Chef and Guests platform, in addition to the General Terms in Part A.

To make a booking, you submit your event details including the date, time, location, number of guests, preferred chef, menu selection, dietary requirements, and any special requests. A booking is only confirmed once full payment has been received and a confirmation email has been issued by Chef and Guests.

Once we have received your booking enquiry and reviewed your requirements, we will send you an invoice itemising all applicable charges. Payment must be completed within the timeframe specified on your invoice to secure your booking. Payment deadlines vary depending on how far in advance your event is scheduled and will be clearly stated on each invoice. Your booking is not confirmed until full payment has been received and a confirmation email has been issued by Chef and Guests.

Your invoice may include the following line items:

• Adult guests: number of adults × menu price per person
• Children (under 12): charged at half the adult menu price for a main course and dessert only
• Assistant fee: applicable for bookings of 8 or more guests, unless otherwise specified by your chef based on the complexity of the menu or number of courses. For smaller groups, your chef may request an assistant at their discretion, and this will be communicated and confirmed before your invoice is finalised.
• Dinnerware and/or decor hire: if requested
• Booking Fee: non-refundable, included in the total

There are no hidden fees. The total amount shown on the invoice is the final amount you will be charged. Chef and Guests does not add additional charges after payment is confirmed.

If you wish to modify a confirmed booking (e.g., change guest numbers or dietary requirements), please contact us as early as possible. Changes to guest numbers within 3 days of the Event may not be accommodated. Any pricing adjustments will be communicated and confirmed before processing.

For bookings of 8 or more guests, your chef will require an assistant to help prepare, serve, and ensure the experience runs smoothly. The assistant fee will be confirmed at the time of booking and added to your invoice. For bookings of 12 or more guests, your chef will confirm whether more than one assistant is required.

For smaller groups, your chef may request an assistant at their discretion based on the complexity of the menu or number of courses. Where this applies, it will be communicated and confirmed with you before your invoice is finalized. No assistant fees will be added after payment has been made.

If you do not have sufficient dinnerware, glassware, or decor, this can be arranged at an additional cost. Please let us know at the time of booking so this can be confirmed and added to your invoice.

Children under 12 are charged half the adult menu price for a main course and dessert only. A custom children’s menu can be arranged directly with your chef and may be priced differently. Please discuss this at the time of booking.

Chef and Guests strongly encourages all Diners to disclose any food allergies, intolerances, or dietary requirements at the time of booking. While Chefs will make every reasonable effort to accommodate these requirements, Chef and Guests cannot guarantee that any menu item is completely free from allergens.

Failure to disclose relevant dietary requirements or allergens at the time of booking is the sole responsibility of the Diner. Chef and Guests and its Chefs accept no liability for allergic reactions or health consequences arising from undisclosed dietary requirements.

We understand that plans can change. Because private chef experiences involve dedicated scheduling, personalised menu curation, and fresh ingredient sourcing, early notice makes a meaningful difference to our chefs.

• 14 or more days before the Event: Full refund of menu costs, minus the non-refundable Booking Fee.
• 7 to 13 days before the Event: 75% refund of menu costs, minus the Booking Fee.
• 4 to 6 days before the Event: 50% refund of menu costs, minus the Booking Fee.
• Within 3 days of the Event: No refund. Chefs have finalised schedules, turned down other bookings, and begun sourcing ingredients.

Menu costs refer to the total booking amount excluding the Booking Fee.

For bookings made within 14 days of the Event date, cancellation terms apply from the time of booking confirmation.

In the rare event that a Chef must cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, you will receive an immediate full refund of your entire payment, including the Booking Fee. Chef and Guests will also make reasonable efforts to find a suitable replacement chef if desired.

All eligible refunds will be returned to your original payment method within 5–10 business days, depending on your bank or card provider.

By making a booking through Chef and Guests, you agree to:

• Provide accurate information in your booking, including date, time, location, guest numbers, and all dietary requirements or allergies, inaccurate information may prevent the Chef from delivering appropriate service.
• Ensure a fully equipped, clean, and safe kitchen environment is available for the Chef on arrival.
• Provide access to the property at the agreed time to allow the Chef time to set up.
• Respond promptly to any communications from the Chef regarding booking details.
• Treat the Chef and any assistants with respect throughout the experience.

Not arrange or attempt to pay the Chef directly or outside the Platform.

Any complaints relating to a Chef’s service must be submitted to Chef and Guests within 24 hours of the Event via email to info@chefnguests.co.za. Complaints submitted after this window may not be eligible for remediation.

Chef and Guests will acknowledge all complaints within 2 business days and work towards resolution. Based on our investigation, we may offer a refund, credit, or other resolution in accordance with the service quality compensation guidelines in Part C, Section C5.

Chef and Guests’ final decision is binding for platform purposes, without prejudice to any legal rights available to you under applicable consumer protection law.

Chef and Guests acts solely as an intermediary marketplace. We are not liable for:

• The quality, safety, or outcome of any cooking service performed by a Chef.
• Any injury, illness, loss, or damage arising from a Chef’s performance of services.
• Any loss arising from platform downtime, technical errors, or third-party service failures.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Chef and Guests’ total liability to any Diner shall not exceed the total Booking Fee paid for the specific booking in question.

You agree to indemnify Chef & Guests against any claims arising from inaccurate information provided at the time of booking, including undisclosed allergies or incorrect guest numbers.

• Gift vouchers cannot be redeemed or exchanged for cash
• Gift vouchers are valid for use in the following cities: Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Hermanus, George, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), and Knysna. Additional cities will be added as Chef and Guests expands.
• Gift vouchers are applicable to one dinner or lunch booking per voucher and may not be split across multiple bookings.
• Gift vouchers are subject to chef availability at the time of booking.
• Gift vouchers must be redeemed within 12 months of the date of purchase. Expired vouchers cannot be extended or refunded.
• Gift vouchers may be transferred or gifted to another person but may only be redeemed once.
• Chef and Guests is not responsible for lost, stolen, or expired voucher codes. Please treat your voucher code with care.

If the total booking value exceeds the voucher amount, the remaining balance must be paid by the recipient at the time of booking.

Vouchers must be used in a single transaction. Any unused balance will not be carried over or refunded.

To redeem your gift voucher, enter your unique voucher code in the designated field when completing your booking enquiry. The voucher value will be applied to your booking automatically. For full redemption instructions, please visit chefnguests.co.za/gift-vouchers.

All Chef and Guests gift vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Chef and Guests reserves the right to extend voucher validity at its discretion in exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure events that prevent redemption within the validity period.

These Terms apply specifically to Chefs registered on the Chef and Guests platform, in addition to the General Terms in Part A.

By completing the Chef onboarding process and signing the Chef Agreement, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Chef Terms.

To register as a Chef on the Chef and Guests platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Provide accurate, complete, and truthful information, including your full name, contact details, and professional background
• Submit a professional profile photo and chef biography
• Provide up to 3 signature menus with full course descriptions and pricing
• Submit valid identity documentation (ID or passport) for identity verification
• Provide banking details for payment processing
• Sign the Chef Agreement provided during onboarding
• Agree to these Chef Terms and maintain compliance with all applicable laws and regulations

Your identity document is used solely for verification purposes, reviewed only by our internal team, and will never appear on your public profile. It is stored securely and encrypted.

Where required by the laws or regulations of your jurisdiction, you are solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining all licences, permits, and certifications necessary to provide private chef services. This may include food handling certifications, health permits, and professional credentials. You must provide copies to Chef & Guests upon request.

Your Chef profile must accurately represent your qualifications, experience, and services. All menu descriptions, certifications, and claims must be truthful. Misrepresenting yourself or your services is grounds for immediate account termination.

You must keep your profile information current, including availability, menus, pricing, and contact details. You must respond to booking enquiries and platform communications within 24 hours.

A booking is confirmed once the Diner has paid in full and a confirmation has been issued by Chef and Guests. Once confirmed, both you and the Diner are bound to the booking agreement.

For every confirmed booking, you are expected to:

• Arrive punctually and fully prepared, late arrival of more than 15 minutes without prior communication is a serious violation
• Deliver the agreed menu as described, using fresh, high-quality ingredients
• Strictly comply with all dietary requirements and allergen restrictions communicated at the time of booking
• Present dishes professionally and maintain courteous, respectful conduct throughout
• Wear appropriate professional attire. Consumption of alcohol or any substances during the service is strictly prohibited
• Clean all kitchen and working areas, remove all waste, and leave the property in its original condition upon completion
• Notify Chef and Guests and the Diner as early as possible if any circumstance may affect your ability to fulfil the booking

If you and the Diner agree to reschedule a booking, the modification must be communicated to Chef and Guests. Rescheduling requests made more than 14 days before the event will be processed without penalty. Requests within 14 days are subject to the applicable cancellation policy.

Failure to appear for a confirmed booking without prior notice is a serious breach of these Chef Terms. A no-show results in an immediate full refund to the Diner. Chef and Guests may suspend or terminate your account as a result.

Failure to appear for a confirmed booking without prior notice is a serious breach of these Chef Terms. A no-show results in an immediate full refund to the Diner. Chef and Guests may suspend or terminate your account as a result.

You may cancel a confirmed booking only in exceptional circumstances such as illness or a family emergency. If you cancel:

• The Diner receives a full refund, including the Booking Fee, regardless of timing.
• Chef and Guests will make reasonable efforts to find a replacement Chef.

Cancellations are subject to the following consequences:

• More than 14 days before the Event: No penalty. Chef and Guests will assist the Diner in finding an alternative.
• 7 to 14 days before the Event: A formal warning will be issued and your reliability rating will be affected.
• Within 7 days of the Event: Your account may be suspended pending review. Repeated last-minute cancellations may result in account termination.

Your payout is made in two stages:

• 50% of your agreed share is released 2–3 days before the Event to cover ingredient sourcing and preparation costs.
• The remaining 50% is released within 48 hours of Event completion, once the booking is marked complete.

Full details of your payout amount and commission structure are set out in your Chef Agreement.

Menu prices are set by you and must reflect the full cost of the dining experience to be covered, including ingredients, your personal fee, transport costs, and platform commission. The price you set is what the Diner pays per person. Chef and Guests does not add fees on top of your stated price.

You are solely responsible for all tax obligations arising from your activities as an independent chef, including income tax, VAT (where applicable), and any other levies required by your jurisdiction.

Chef and Guests may temporarily hold your payout if there is a pending dispute, investigation, or complaint relating to your booking. Payment holds remain in place until the matter is resolved. You will be notified of the reason for any hold.

Chef and Guests is committed to maintaining high standards across every experience. If a Diner submits a complaint about your service, the following compensation guidelines apply:

• Minor service issues: issues that do not materially affect the overall experience (e.g., slightly over/undercooked items, arrival less than 30 minutes late): compensation of up to 25% of the Booking Value
• Service quality failures: issues that directly affect the quality of the experience (e.g., frozen or low-quality ingredients, late arrival of more than 1 hour, significant menu deviation): compensation of up to 50% of the Booking Value
• Serious failures: issues that prevent the Diner from enjoying the service (e.g., ignored allergens, unsanitary practices, abandonment of service): compensation of up to 100% of the Booking Value

Compensation is funded from your payout. Chef and Guests’ commission is reduced proportionally to the refund percentage applied.

All complaints must be submitted by the Diner within 24 hours of the Event. You will have 24 hours to respond with your account of the incident. Chef and Guests’ decision following investigation is final for platform administration purposes.

You agree not to contact Diners directly to offer services outside the Platform or to arrange payments that bypass Chef and Guests. This obligation applies to all Diners you encounter through the Platform, including those who enquired but did not book, those who cancelled, and those whose bookings have been completed, for a period of 12 months from your first contact.

Any attempt to circumvent Chef and Guests makes you liable to pay an amount equal to the commission that would have applied to the bypassed booking. Chef and Guests may also suspend or terminate your account.

Chef and Guests may suspend your account if you:

• Violate any provision of these Chef Terms
• Receive multiple complaints about service quality or conduct
• Fail to respond to platform communications or dispute resolution requests
• Allow your required licences or certifications to lapse
• Are found to have misrepresented your qualifications or profile

Breach the non-circumvention obligation

Chef and Guests may permanently terminate your account for:

• Serious violations including food safety breaches, harassment, illegal activity, or no-show
• Providing false or misleading information during registration or onboarding
• Repeated violations despite previous warnings
• Failure to meet reinstatement conditions following a suspension

If your account is suspended or terminated, you may appeal within 14 days by providing detailed information and supporting evidence. Chef and Guests will review and provide a final response. The decision on appeal is binding.

After termination, you may not create a new account under the same or different identity without Chef and Guests’ explicit permission. Your non-circumvention obligations survive termination.

As an independent contractor, you are solely and fully responsible for:

• The quality, safety, and delivery of your cooking services
• Compliance with all food safety, hygiene, and health laws in your jurisdiction
• Any injury, illness, or damage arising from your services or presence at a booking venue
• Maintaining adequate professional liability insurance for your activities

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Chef and Guests, its directors, employees, and agents from any claims, losses, damages, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your performance of services, breach of these Terms, or violation of any applicable law.