ChefPalz

Terms of Service

Last updated July 2026

Customer Terms

1. Acceptance of terms

By creating an account and using ChefPalz, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and all applicable laws. You must be at least 18 years old to use this platform.

2. The platform

ChefPalz is a marketplace that connects private chefs with customers seeking personal chef services. ChefPalz does not employ chefs and is not a party to any service agreement between customers and chefs. ChefPalz acts solely as an intermediary.

2A. WHAT YOU ARE BOOKING — PRIVATE CHEF vs. CATERING

  • ChefPalz offers in-home PRIVATE CHEF experiences: an independent chef comes to your location and personally prepares and serves a meal for your event. It is a personalized, cooked-on-site dining experience for your specific occasion and guest count.
  • This is different from CATERING. Private chef service is not large-batch food production, drop-off/buffet catering, event rentals, or wait-staffing. Unless a chef expressly offers catering, you should expect an intimate, cook-on-site experience.
  • Menus, guest counts, service style, and what each party provides (e.g., kitchen access, ingredients, serviceware) are set between you and your chef. Confirm the scope directly with your chef before the event.

3. Booking & payments

  • A 25% deposit is required to request a booking (or full payment if the event is within 7 days).
  • Your payment is placed as an authorization hold when you book and is only charged once the chef accepts your request. If the chef declines or does not respond within the acceptance window (typically 24 hours, or 12 hours when the event is less than 48 hours away), the request is automatically cancelled and the hold is released with no charge.
  • When you pay a deposit, the remaining 75% balance is due 7 days before the event. Failure to pay the balance by then will result in automatic cancellation and forfeiture of the deposit.
  • All payments are processed securely through Stripe.

4. Cancellations & refunds

  • Cancellations made 7 or more days before the event are eligible for a full refund of amounts paid, less non-refundable payment processing fees.
  • Cancellations made between 48 hours and 7 days before the event are eligible for a 50% refund of amounts paid.
  • Cancellations made within 48 hours of the event are not eligible for a refund.
  • If the chef has not yet accepted the booking, cancelling releases the payment hold with no charge.
  • ChefPalz reserves the right to cancel bookings and issue refunds at its sole discretion in cases of fraud, safety concerns, or platform violations.

5. Chef conduct

  • Customers agree to treat chefs with respect and provide a safe working environment.
  • Customers are responsible for ensuring kitchen equipment and space are accessible and in reasonable condition.
  • Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior toward chefs will result in immediate account suspension.

6. Food safety & allergies

  • Customers must disclose all known allergies and dietary restrictions when booking.
  • ChefPalz is not liable for allergic reactions or food-related illness. It is the customer's responsibility to confirm all dietary needs with the chef prior to the event.

7. Disputes & contact

  • For any disputes, billing questions, or concerns about a chef or booking, please contact ChefPalz Support at chefpal.connect@gmail.com with the subject line [CUSTOMER DISPUTE].
  • ChefPalz will review all disputes within 3 business days and respond via email.
  • ChefPalz's decision in disputes is final and binding.

8. Privacy

  • ChefPalz collects personal information necessary to operate the platform. We do not sell your data to third parties.
  • By using the platform, you consent to ChefPalz's Privacy Policy.

9. Limitation of liability

  • ChefPalz is not liable for property damage, personal injury, food quality disputes, or any losses arising from services provided by chefs.
  • ChefPalz's total liability shall not exceed the total fees paid in connection with the disputed booking.

10. Prohibited conduct

  • Bookings, payments, and communications must stay on the ChefPalz platform. Sharing or soliciting personal contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles, or external links) to arrange or pay for services off-platform is prohibited, and such information may be automatically hidden in profiles and messages.
  • Circumventing the platform to pay or be paid directly in order to avoid platform fees is strictly prohibited and will result in permanent account termination.
  • Posting false reviews or manipulating ratings is prohibited.

11. Governing law & venue

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or relating to them or your use of ChefPalz are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Subject to the arbitration provision below, any claim not resolved by arbitration shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Florida, and you consent to personal jurisdiction there.

12. Binding arbitration & class action waiver

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY — THIS AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

  • Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of ChefPalz will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, rather than in court — except that either party may bring an individual claim in small-claims court. The arbitration will take place in Florida or, at your election, remotely.
  • YOU AND CHEFPALZ WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. Claims may be brought only in an individual capacity.
  • If this class-action waiver is found unenforceable, then the entirety of this Arbitration section shall be null and void, but the rest of these Terms will remain in effect.
  • You may opt out of arbitration by emailing chefpal.connect@gmail.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms.

Chef Terms

1. Acceptance of terms

By registering as a chef on ChefPalz, you agree to these Terms of Service. You must be at least 18 years old and legally authorized to work in the United States.

2. Independent contractor status

Chefs are independent contractors, not employees of ChefPalz. You are solely responsible for your taxes, licenses, certifications, and compliance with applicable food safety and business laws. ChefPalz does not control how you perform services.

3. Service fee & payouts

  • ChefPalz retains a service fee from all bookings, disclosed to you in the app.
  • Your payout is the remainder of the total booking amount.
  • Payouts are processed automatically via Stripe Connect within 2 business days after the event is completed. You must complete Stripe onboarding to receive payments.

4. Background checks

  • ChefPalz strongly encourages all chefs to complete a background check through our partner Checkr.
  • Chefs with approved background checks receive a "Background Checked" badge, which significantly increases booking rates.
  • ChefPalz reserves the right to suspend accounts based on background check results.

5. Profile & listings

  • You are responsible for the accuracy of your profile, including cuisine specialties, pricing, and availability.
  • Misleading or false information will result in account suspension.
  • Your rate is per person, per event. ChefPalz does not set your pricing.

6. Bookings & cancellations

  • Accepting a booking is a commitment to provide the service. Cancellations are subject to review and potential penalties.
  • Customer refunds follow a tiered schedule: full refund (less processing fees) 7+ days out, 50% between 48 hours and 7 days, and no refund within 48 hours of the event.
  • In the event of an emergency cancellation, you must notify the customer immediately through the platform and contact ChefPalz Support at chefpal.connect@gmail.com with subject line [CHEF CANCELLATION].

7. Disputes & contact

  • For any disputes, payment questions, or platform concerns, contact ChefPalz Support at chefpal.connect@gmail.com with subject line [CHEF DISPUTE].
  • ChefPalz will review all disputes within 3 business days.

8. Conduct standards

  • You must maintain professional conduct at all times and treat customers and their property with respect.
  • You are responsible for your own food safety practices, proper handling, and compliance with local health regulations.
  • You are required to carry your own general liability insurance appropriate to the in-home cooking services you provide, and to provide proof of coverage upon request. ChefPalz does not provide insurance coverage for chefs.
  • Sexual harassment, discrimination, or any abusive behavior will result in immediate and permanent removal from the platform.

9. Ingredients

  • As a ChefPalz chef, you are responsible for sourcing all ingredients for the events you accept.
  • Ingredient costs are factored into your per-person rate.

10. Prohibited conduct

  • Soliciting customers to book or pay for services outside the platform is strictly prohibited and will result in permanent account termination.
  • Sharing personal contact information (phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles, or external links) in your profile or messages to move bookings or communication off-platform is prohibited; such information may be automatically hidden.
  • Misrepresenting qualifications, certifications, or experience is grounds for immediate removal.

11. Intellectual property

By uploading photos or content to ChefPalz, you grant ChefPalz a non-exclusive license to use that content for marketing and promotional purposes.

12. Limitation of liability

ChefPalz is not liable for personal injury, property damage, food safety incidents, or disputes arising from your services. You agree to indemnify ChefPalz against any claims arising from your actions.

13. Governing law & venue

These Terms and any dispute arising out of or relating to them or your work through ChefPalz are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules. Subject to the arbitration provision below, any claim not resolved by arbitration shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Florida, and you consent to personal jurisdiction there.

14. Binding arbitration & class action waiver

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY — THIS AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

  • Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of ChefPalz will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association, rather than in court — except that either party may bring an individual claim in small-claims court. The arbitration will take place in Florida or, at your election, remotely.
  • YOU AND CHEFPALZ WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS, COLLECTIVE, OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION. Claims may be brought only in an individual capacity.
  • If this class-action waiver is found unenforceable, then the entirety of this Arbitration section shall be null and void, but the rest of these Terms will remain in effect.
  • You may opt out of arbitration by emailing chefpal.connect@gmail.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms.