Happy Cooking Terms of Service

Service Description

Happy Cooking LLC agrees to provide the Client with a personal chef service as described below:  

  • SERVICE MINIMUM: The required service minimum is $540. This does not include credit card fees or gratuity.

  • PAYMENT: A deposit of $540 is required at the time of booking a standard service. For larger custom bookings, we require a 25% deposit of the full service cost. Happy Cooking will provide an invoice for your full service charge within 24 hours of booking based on your menu selections, number of guests and add-ons. Your remaining balance is due 7 days before your event. Gratuity may be added at this time as well for ease.

  • GRATUITY: We recommend 20% gratuity which goes 100% to your chef(s), if you enjoy your event. Dinner Party services for 8 or more guests will incur an automatic 20% gratuity to be added to your final invoice.

  • TRAVEL FEE: The first 15 miles of travel from our East Austin kitchen (1023 Springdale Rd) are complimentary. A travel fee of $4/mile will be charged after the first 15 miles.

  • DIETARY ACCOMMODATIONS: We try our best to accommodate allergies and dietary needs whenever possible. Please list all allergens and/or dietary restrictions in the booking form. We'll confirm specifics at least 1 week prior to your party. Note: All dietary requests and allergies must be communicated at least 72 hours before your service. Our chefs begin prepping 3 days before a service, and they do not have access onsite to additional ingredients. Therefore, they can not accommodate requests made within the 72 hours before the party.

  • CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULING:

    • Service cancellations made at least 7 days prior to the event will receive a full refund minus the 3% processing fee.

    • Reschedule requests made at least 7 days prior to the event may be rescheduled without a fee.

    • Cancellations made 4-6 days out from an event are eligible for a 50% refund minus 3% processing fee.

    • Reschedule requests made 4-6 days out from an event can be rebooked for a 25% late rebooking fee.

    • Cancellations made within 72 hours of your event are unable to be refunded or rescheduled. Happy Cooking can deliver your menu items at no additional cost upon request.

    • Rescheduled services within 72 hours of your event time will incur a 25% late rebooking fee.

    • If Happy Cooking LLC is unable to service your date, we will make all reasonable attempts to notify you as soon as possible and reschedule your service or provide a recommendation of a similar service.

  • FORCE MAJEURE: Happy Cooking shall not be held liable for any failure to perform due to causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, public health emergencies, power outages, or venue issues. In such cases, both parties shall make reasonable efforts to find an agreeable solution.

  • GUEST COUNT: The final guest count must be provided no later than 72 hours before your service.

  • ARRIVAL: The Chef will arrive at your scheduled reservation time. Set-up and prep will take approximately 30-45 minutes for Dinner Parties and 45 minutes for Catering.

  • PARKING: The chef will need to unload equipment and have easy access to bring the equipment to your kitchen. Please arrange a parking spot near the entrance and a clear pathway to your kitchen. If your location only offers paid parking, the parking fee will be added to your final invoice.

CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CHEF PARTIES:

  • KITCHEN & WORK AREA: The client agrees to provide a clean, and accessible kitchen space with running water, working appliances, cleared countertops, an empty sink, and adequate lighting for food preparation. For outdoor events, the client shall ensure a level, debris-free area of at least 6 feet by 8 feet is available for equipment setup and service. The client must also ensure that pets, guests, or other factors do not interfere with food preparation and service.

  • DINING AREA SETUP: The client is responsible for arranging and preparing the dining area, including the setup of tables, chairs, napkins, flatware, plateware, glassware, and any additional guest seating. All place settings should be arranged in advance of service to accommodate the number of guests specified in the agreement.

  • START OF SERVICE: The client agrees to ensure that all guests are seated and prepared to begin dinner service within 30 to 40 minutes of the chef’s scheduled arrival time. The chef will allow for a grace period of up to 30 minutes beyond this window to accommodate any delays in guest arrival. If dinner service is delayed beyond this grace period due to guests not being ready, a waiting fee of $50 per hour (billed in 30-minute increments) will apply to compensate the chef for extended onsite time. It is the client’s responsibility to communicate this timing to their guests in advance.

  • CLEANUP RESPONSIBILITIES: The client shall be responsible for post-event cleanup of the dining area, including the disposal of waste, used plateware, glassware, and service items. For larger gatherings, it is recommended that the client provide at least one additional trash receptacle to manage discarded items efficiently. The chef will clean and tidy the designated prep and cooking area (e.g., kitchen, outdoor space) and remove any food-related messes resulting from meal preparation.

  • Outdoor Parties: If it rains or if the temperature exceeds 90 degrees, we ask that the customer provides a covering for the chef to cook under so they can stay dry & cool. The Chef can cook under tents, and patios OR if customer need to reschedule, we will do our best to accommodate.

  • Host Extras: The following will not be provided by the Chef, but the Client may want to consider some of the following to optimize the experience:

    • Beverages. The Chef will not provide beverages, including water, unless specifically included in a custom menu or catering package.

    • Outdoor comfort items for outdoor services like bug spray, fly deterrents, food covers, fans, umbrellas, etc.

    • Takeaway containers. The Chef is happy to package leftover food in provided containers.

ADDITIONAL TERMS AND NOTES:

FOOD SAFETY & LIABILITY: All Happy Cooking chefs maintain active Food Handler’s certifications. By participating in this dining experience, guests accept all risks associated with food consumption, including potential foodborne illness. Happy Cooking assumes no liability for adverse reactions or outcomes.

ALCOHOL POLICY: Happy Cooking does not provide or serve alcoholic beverages. If alcohol is present at the event, the client assumes full responsibility for the service, consumption, and any consequences thereof.

*PLEASE NOTE: Happy Cooking LLC, or any agent, employee, director, or representative of Happy Cooking LLC, will NOT be liable to any Licensee (Host/Client) or Licensee’s guests for property damage caused as a result of any party held on the Licensee’s (Hosts) premises. 

For the purpose of this paragraph “property damage” is defined as: injury to any real or personal property on the premises of where the Happy Cooking service is taking place. Furthermore, Licensee (Host), individually and for Licensee’s guests, waives any claim against Happy Cooking for any loss of, or damage or destruction to, property of Licensee (Host) or Licensee’s guests, arising from any cause. 

This waiver is intended to be a complete release of any responsibility for property loss or damage or destruction to the property sustained by the Licensee or Licensee’s guests before, during, or after the Happy Cooking servicehas taken place.

Happy Cooking LLC is not a restaurant or food preparation entity. The Chefs available on our Platform operate independently of Happy Cooking LLC. Chefs are required to comply with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and standards pertaining to the preparation, and sale of food, including, without limitation, food preparation and safety and menu disclosure. 

Happy Cooking LLC is not liable or responsible for Chef’s food preparation or safety and does not verify their compliance with all applicable laws. In addition, Happy Cooking LLC does not guarantee the quality of what the chefs sell, nor does it guarantee the services provided by them.

We retain the right to provide the final explanation, and please note that the terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notification.

Meal Prep Disclaimer

By purchasing and consuming meals from Happy Cooking LLC, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. **Food Safety and Handling**: Our meals are prepared and delivered under strict health and safety guidelines. However, once delivered to you, it is your responsibility to ensure proper storage, reheating, and handling of the food.

2. **Proper Storage and Reheating**: Meals must be stored at the recommended temperatures (below 40°F) and reheated to an internal temperature of at least 165°F to avoid the risk of foodborne illness. Failure to properly store, handle, or reheat meals can result in food entering the "danger zone" (between 40°F and 140°F), which may increase the risk of bacterial growth and foodborne illness.

3. **Limitation of Liability**: Happy Cooking LLC is not responsible or liable for any illness, injury, or harm arising from improper handling, storage, reheating, or consumption of meals after they are delivered. By purchasing our meals, you release and hold harmless Happy Cooking LLC, its owners, employees, and affiliates from any claims related to foodborne illness or any other harm resulting from improper food handling or consumption.

4. **Consumer Responsibility**: It is your responsibility to ensure that all meals are consumed by their expiration date and handled in accordance with proper food safety guidelines provided by [Your Company Name] and health authorities.

Intellectual Property

All content on the website https://www.happycookingatx.com/ (https://www.happycookingatx.com/) , as well as social media handles @happycookingatx, trademarks, service marks, and logos are owned and licensed by the company and provided “as is.” Happy Cooking LLC is not responsible for any third-party websites that it may link to. Happy Cooking LLC may monitor and remove content from the website at any point. Happy Cooking may retain certain personal data provided to the website.