NiyyahChef Platform — Terms of Service, Chef Agreement & Privacy Policy

1.Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the NiyyahChef platform ("Platform," "we," "us," "our") — including the website, mobile application, and all related services — you ("User") agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Platform.

These Terms apply to all users of the Platform, including customers who book cooking services ("Customers"), home cooks and professional chefs who offer cooking services ("Chefs"), and visitors to the Platform.

2.What NiyyahChef Is — and Is Not

NiyyahChef is a technology marketplace platform that connects independent Chefs with Customers seeking in-home cultural dining experiences. NiyyahChef is not a food service company, restaurant, catering company, or employer of any Chef.

NiyyahChef does not:

• Prepare, handle, or serve food
• Employ or direct the work of any Chef
• Guarantee the quality, safety, or compliance of any food prepared by a Chef
• Verify that any Chef holds required local, state, or federal licenses or permits beyond what is declared on their profile

Each Chef is an independent contractor solely responsible for their own compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including but not limited to food safety regulations, business licensing, cottage food laws, health permits, and tax obligations.

3.Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age to use the Platform. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you are 18 years of age or older, have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement, and are not prohibited from using the Platform under any applicable laws.

4.User Accounts

You must create an account to book a Chef or list services on the Platform. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Keep your password confidential and not share access with others
• Notify NiyyahChef immediately of any unauthorized access to your account
• Be responsible for all activity that occurs under your account

NiyyahChef reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account for violation of these Terms, suspected fraudulent activity, or for any other reason at NiyyahChef's sole discretion.

5.Prohibited Conduct

All users agree not to:

• Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose
• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Harass, threaten, or harm other users
• Circumvent the Platform by arranging bookings or payments outside of NiyyahChef to avoid platform fees
• Solicit other users to use competing platforms
• Upload content that infringes on any third party's intellectual property rights
• Attempt to access, tamper with, or use non-public areas of the Platform

6.Payments and Fees

All payments are processed through Stripe, a third-party payment processor. By using the Platform, you agree to Stripe's Terms of Service.

NiyyahChef charges a 15% platform service fee on every completed booking, deducted from the Chef's payout. Customers will see the total price including the service fee before confirming a booking.

Refund Policy:

• Cancellations made 72 hours or more before the scheduled event: full refund to Customer
• Cancellations made 24–72 hours before the event: 50% refund to Customer
• Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the event: no refund unless the Chef cancels
• If a Chef cancels for any reason: full refund to Customer

NiyyahChef is not responsible for any disputes between Customers and Chefs regarding payment, quality, or service. NiyyahChef may, at its discretion, mediate disputes but has no obligation to do so.

7.Reviews and Ratings

Users may submit reviews and ratings for completed bookings. By submitting a review, you represent that it reflects your honest, firsthand experience. NiyyahChef reserves the right to remove reviews that violate these Terms, contain offensive language, are fraudulent, or are otherwise inappropriate.

8.Intellectual Property

All content on the Platform — including the NiyyahChef name, logo, design, text, graphics, and software — is owned by or licensed to NiyyahChef and is protected by U.S. and international intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, or distribute Platform content without express written permission.

9.Disclaimer of Warranties

The platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. NiyyahChef does not warrant that the platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components.

NiyyahChef makes no warranty regarding the quality, safety, legality, or fitness for any particular purpose of any food services offered or provided through the platform.

10.Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, NiyyahChef shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages — including loss of profits, data, or goodwill — arising from your use of the platform or from any food services booked through the platform, even if NiyyahChef has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

NiyyahChef's total liability for any claim arising under these terms shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amount you paid to NiyyahChef in the 12 months prior to the claim or (b) one hundred U.S. dollars ($100.00).

11.Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless NiyyahChef, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses — including reasonable attorneys' fees — arising out of or in any way connected with your use of the Platform, your violation of these Terms, your violation of any applicable laws, or your interactions with any other user.

12.Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Mandatory Arbitration: Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, and not in a court of law. You waive the right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.

To opt out of arbitration, you must notify NiyyahChef in writing within 30 days of first accepting these Terms.

13.Modifications to Terms

NiyyahChef reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes by email or by posting a notice on the Platform. Continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

14.Independent Contractor Status

You acknowledge and agree that you are an independent contractor and not an employee, partner, joint venturer, or agent of NiyyahChef. NiyyahChef does not control the manner, means, timing, or method by which you perform your services. You are solely responsible for:

• Your own tax obligations, including self-employment taxes and quarterly estimated payments
• Your own business registration or DBA filing if required in your state
• Obtaining any required local business licenses
• Securing liability insurance for your cooking services
• Complying with all applicable food safety, health, and cottage food laws in every state where you accept bookings

15.Food Safety Compliance — Your Sole Responsibility

You represent and warrant that:

• You will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local food safety laws and regulations in every state where you perform services
• You understand that cottage food laws vary by state — some states require permits, licenses, food safety certifications, kitchen inspections, or cap annual income from home food sales
• You will not accept bookings in states or jurisdictions where your type of cooking service is not permitted without required licenses
• You will disclose all major allergens present in your food to Customers prior to and during service
• You will handle, prepare, store, and transport food safely in compliance with FDA Food Code standards and applicable state health codes
• You will not prepare or serve food to which a Customer has disclosed an allergy without clearly notifying the Customer in advance

NiyyahChef does not verify or guarantee your compliance with food laws. NiyyahChef bears no liability for your violations of food safety or health regulations. Any fines, penalties, or legal claims resulting from your non-compliance are entirely your responsibility.

16.Insurance Requirement

Chefs are strongly encouraged — and for bookings involving cooking in a customer's home, effectively required by the nature of the service — to maintain adequate general liability and food liability insurance. NiyyahChef reserves the right to require proof of insurance as a condition of approval or continued listing on the Platform.

NiyyahChef is not responsible for any damage to property, personal injury, illness, or death arising from your services.

17.Chef Profile and Listings

By creating a Chef profile on NiyyahChef, you represent that:

• All information in your profile is accurate, truthful, and not misleading
• Your food is prepared in accordance with halal principles as you have declared on your profile
• Your menu, pricing, and availability are kept accurate and up to date
• Photos of food and your kitchen are your own or properly licensed

18.Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly (name, email, phone, address, payment details, profile content, messages) and information collected automatically (device info, IP address, usage analytics, cookies).

19.How We Use Information

• To operate, maintain, and improve the Platform
• To process bookings and payments
• To communicate with you about your account, bookings, and updates
• To prevent fraud and enforce these Terms
• To comply with legal obligations

20.Sharing of Information

We share information with Chefs/Customers as needed to fulfill bookings, with service providers (payments, hosting, email), and as required by law. We do not sell your personal information.

21.Your Rights

You may request access, correction, or deletion of your personal information by contacting us. Residents of certain jurisdictions (e.g. California, EU) have additional rights under applicable privacy laws.

22.Contact

Questions about these Terms or our Privacy Policy? Contact us at legal@niyyahchef.com.