Terms of Service | Chef Next Door

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using Chef Next Door (“the Platform”), including our mobile application, website, and related services (collectively, the “Services”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use our Services. Chef Next Door is operated by Chef Next Door Inc. (“Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”).

2. Description of Services

Chef Next Door is a mobile marketplace platform that connects consumers (“Buyers”) with local home chefs, bakers, baristas, food producers, farmers market vendors, meal preppers, and caterers (“Sellers”). We facilitate the discovery, ordering, and payment for food items prepared and sold by Sellers. Chef Next Door is a marketplace platform — we do not prepare, cook, or sell food ourselves.

3. Account Registration

To use certain features of our Services, you must create an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to keep your account information updated. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account.

4. Marketplace Rules

As a marketplace, Chef Next Door establishes rules that all users must follow. Users may not engage in fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading activity. Users may not harass, abuse, or threaten other users. Users may not use the platform for any unlawful purpose. Users may not circumvent the platform's payment system. Users may not create multiple accounts to evade restrictions. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these rules.

5. Seller Responsibilities

Sellers on Chef Next Door agree to:

Obtain and maintain all required permits and licenses, including a valid MEHKO (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation) permit as required by California law (AB 626)
Comply with all applicable local, state, and federal food safety laws and regulations
Provide accurate descriptions, photos, and pricing for all listed items
Prepare food in a safe, sanitary manner consistent with MEHKO requirements
Disclose all common allergens and ingredients as required by law
Fulfill accepted orders in a timely manner and communicate any delays
Maintain their kitchen and food preparation area in compliance with health regulations
Operate within the revenue limits established by MEHKO regulations
Not sell food items that are prohibited under their MEHKO permit

Chef Next Door may verify seller permits and reserves the right to remove sellers who fail to maintain valid MEHKO certification or violate food safety standards.

6. Consumer Responsibilities

Buyers on Chef Next Door agree to:

Provide accurate delivery/pickup information
Pick up orders at the designated time and location specified by the seller
Communicate any food allergies or dietary restrictions to sellers before ordering
Pay for all orders placed through the platform
Treat sellers with respect and refrain from inappropriate behavior
Provide honest and fair reviews and ratings based on actual experiences

7. Food Safety (MEHKO Compliance)

Chef Next Door operates in compliance with California's AB 626 (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations Act). All sellers are required to hold valid MEHKO permits issued by their local county environmental health department. While we take reasonable steps to verify seller permits, Chef Next Door does not independently inspect kitchens or guarantee the safety of any food item sold through the platform. Consumers assume the inherent risks associated with purchasing food from home-based food operations, even those with proper permits.

8. Payments and Fees

All payments are processed securely through our payment processor, Stripe. Buyers pay the listed price for items plus any applicable service fees and taxes. Sellers receive payment for fulfilled orders minus the platform's commission fee, which is disclosed during seller onboarding. Payouts to sellers are issued on a weekly basis. Chef Next Door reserves the right to modify its fee structure with reasonable notice to sellers.

Refunds for orders may be issued at Chef Next Door's discretion in cases of order errors, food safety concerns, or other qualifying circumstances. Refund requests must be submitted within 24 hours of the scheduled pickup time.

9. Intellectual Property

The Chef Next Door name, logo, and all related branding, software, and content are the intellectual property of Chef Next Door Inc. Users may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works from our intellectual property without written permission. Sellers retain ownership of their recipes, food photos, and menu descriptions but grant Chef Next Door a non-exclusive license to use, display, and promote these materials on our platform and in marketing materials.

10. User Content and Reviews

Users may submit reviews, ratings, photos, and other content (“User Content”). By submitting User Content, you grant Chef Next Door a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute such content. You are responsible for ensuring your User Content is accurate, not defamatory, and does not infringe on any third-party rights. We reserve the right to remove User Content that violates these Terms.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Chef Next Door and its officers, directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or health, arising from your use of the Services, any food purchased through the platform, or any interactions between buyers and sellers.

Chef Next Door is a marketplace and does not guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or availability of any food items listed on the platform. Our total liability for any claims arising from these Terms or your use of the Services shall not exceed the amount you paid through the platform in the twelve months preceding the claim.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Chef Next Door and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees) arising from your use of the Services, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of another user or third party.

13. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Services shall first be attempted to be resolved through informal negotiation. If informal resolution fails, disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in accordance with their rules, conducted in Los Angeles County, California. You agree to waive your right to a jury trial and to participate in class action lawsuits.

14. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account and access to the Services at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. Upon termination, your right to use the Services immediately ceases. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including intellectual property rights, limitation of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution.

15. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated through the app or via email at least 30 days before they take effect. Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

16. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal proceedings not subject to arbitration shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in Los Angeles County, California.

17. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at:

Chef Next Door
Email: info@chefnextdoor.app
Location: Los Angeles, CA