Terms & Conditions

These Platform Terms and Conditions (Terms) govern your use of the Chef Next Door platform to browse, order, and purchase food from independent chefs and food businesses.

Chef Next Door Pty Ltd (ACN 696 915 518 / ABN 38 696 915 518) (we, us, our, or Chef Next Door) operates the platform.

By creating an account, placing an order, or using the platform, you (Customer, you, your) agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the platform.

These Terms should be read together with our Privacy Policy, Cookie and Tracking Policy, Website Terms of Use, and Order Disclaimer (presented at checkout).

Chef Next Door is a marketplace facilitator only. We provide an online platform that connects independent chefs and food businesses (Chefs) with Customers.

We are not the seller, supplier, producer, manufacturer, handler, or distributor of any food listed on the platform. We do not prepare, cook, handle, store, package, label, inspect, test, verify, certify, transport, distribute, or resell food at any time.

Each Chef is an independent business. Chefs are not employees, agents, partners, or representatives of Chef Next Door.

Chef Next Door facilitates payment between the Customer and the Chef via direct payment or Stripe split payment. In all cases, Chef Next Door does not purchase food from the Chef for resale.

We do not: guarantee food safety, quality, or allergen accuracy; inspect or certify any Chef's kitchen; provide medical or dietary advice; act as a food business operator; or take possession of food.

Your contract for the purchase of food is with the Chef, not with Chef Next Door. When you place an order, you are making an offer to purchase food from the Chef identified in the Listing.

The contract of sale between you and the Chef is formed when the Chef accepts your order. Chef Next Door is not a party to that contract and has no obligations under it.

The commission we receive is for marketplace facilitation services, not for the purchase or resale of food.

All Listing content (including food names, descriptions, ingredients, allergen information, photographs, prices, availability, and pickup/delivery details) is provided by the Chef. Chef Next Door does not independently verify, audit, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of Listing information.

Photographs are provided by Chefs and are indicative only. Actual food may differ in appearance.

You are responsible for reviewing all Listing information before placing an order, including ingredients, allergen declarations, and any handling or storage instructions.

Chef availability information is provided by the Chef and may change without notice. Chef Next Door does not guarantee availability.

Important: Allergen and dietary information displayed on the platform is provided solely by the Chef. Chef Next Door does not verify, assess, test, or guarantee the accuracy of any allergen or dietary information.

Chef Next Door acts as a data messenger only in relation to any health or allergy information included in Order Notes — we do not interpret, verify, assess, or act on that information.

Chef Next Door does not ask you to provide allergy or health information. The Order Notes field is a general-purpose text field. If you choose to include health-related information, you do so voluntarily.

If you have a food allergy, intolerance, or dietary requirement, it is your responsibility to:

• carefully review the Listing information (including ingredients and allergen declarations);
• contact the Chef directly before placing an order to confirm suitability;
• not rely solely on Listing information or Order Notes as your only safeguard; and
• exercise your own independent judgment about whether the food is safe for you to consume.

Chef Next Door accepts no liability for any allergic reaction, illness, injury, or adverse health outcome arising from food purchased through the platform.

To place an order, you must have a registered account and provide accurate, current, and complete information.

Prices are set by the Chef and displayed on the Listing. Chef Next Door does not set or control pricing.

Payment is processed via Stripe Connect (split payment) or made directly to the Chef. Chef Next Door does not hold or pool Customer funds.

An order is not guaranteed until the Chef accepts it. If the Chef cannot fulfil your order, any platform payment will be refunded.

Chefs may offer pickup, delivery, or both, as indicated in their Listing.

Pickup: You are responsible for collecting your order at the location and within the time window specified. If you fail to collect within that window, the Chef may dispose of the food per food safety requirements.

Delivery: Where delivery is offered by the Chef, the Chef is solely responsible for transport, handling, temperature control, and safe delivery. Chef Next Door does not arrange, manage, or provide delivery services.

Once you receive the food, responsibility for its storage, handling, reheating, and consumption passes to you. You must follow any storage or handling instructions provided by the Chef.

Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law are not affected by these Terms. Food purchased through the platform comes with automatic consumer guarantees that cannot be excluded.

Refund and cancellation requests relating to the food should be directed to the Chef in the first instance. It is the responsibility of the Customer and the Chef to resolve disputes directly between themselves. Chef Next Door is not obligated to investigate, mediate, or resolve disputes.

Cancellation before acceptance: Any platform payment will be refunded in full.

Cancellation after acceptance: The Chef's cancellation policy applies. You may not be entitled to a refund for late cancellations where the Chef has commenced preparation.

Where payment was made directly to the Chef, refund arrangements are entirely between you and the Chef.

Complaints regarding food quality, safety, accuracy, allergens, fulfilment, or delivery should be directed to the Chef in the first instance.

You may report a concern to Chef Next Door through the platform. We may take action at our discretion, but we are not obligated to investigate or resolve individual complaints.

Food safety incidents: If you believe you have experienced a food safety issue, seek medical attention immediately if required, contact the Chef directly, report the incident to Chef Next Door, and report to the relevant food safety authority (e.g., the NSW Food Authority) if appropriate.

To register, you must provide accurate, current, and complete information. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity under your account.

You must notify us immediately of any unauthorised access.

We may suspend or terminate your account for breach of these Terms, fraudulent, unlawful, or abusive conduct, or where we reasonably consider it necessary.

You must not use the platform to engage in any unlawful, fraudulent, or misleading activity; harass or threaten any Chef, user, or person; submit false or inaccurate information; interfere with or disrupt the platform; scrape or copy platform content without written consent; or attempt to circumvent the platform's payment system.

All content, design, code, branding, trade marks, logos, and materials on the platform (other than Chef-provided content) are the property of Chef Next Door or its licensors.

You must not reproduce, copy, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from platform content without our prior written consent. Chef Listing content is the property of the respective Chef.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Chef Next Door is not liable for: any food, act, omission, or conduct of any Chef; any allergen incident, illness, injury, or adverse reaction arising from food purchased through the platform; any issue arising from delivery or transport of food; indirect, consequential, special, or punitive loss; or interruption, downtime, or unavailability of the platform.

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any guarantee, right, or remedy that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable law.

Each Chef is an independent business operating under its own ABN and registrations. Chefs are not employees, agents, contractors, franchisees, or representatives of Chef Next Door.

Chef Next Door does not control a Chef's food preparation, ingredients, recipes, hours, pricing, methods, premises, delivery arrangements, or business decisions.

It is the Customer's responsibility to satisfy themselves regarding a Chef's credentials, food safety practices, and suitability before placing an order.

Platform data is hosted on Supabase (a third-party cloud hosting provider). While we take reasonable steps to select reputable hosting providers, Chef Next Door is not liable for data breaches, outages, or data loss caused by the hosting provider's systems.

For details on how we handle personal information, see our Privacy Policy.

These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia. You submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales.

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be notified by email or through the platform at least 14 days before taking effect.

Your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree, stop using the platform.

If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force and effect.

Chef Next Door Pty Ltd

Email: info@chef-next-door.com.au