Chef Mendivel — Comprehensive Terms, Conditions & Policies

1. Inclusivity, Accessibility & Client Experience Policy

1.1. Commitment to Inclusivity  
Chef Mendivel welcomes and serves clients of all ages, abilities, identities, and backgrounds. We are committed to providing respectful, judgment‑free hospitality and creating an environment where every client feels valued and supported.

1.2. Accessibility Accommodations  
We gladly accommodate:  
Mobility needs, including layout adjustments and pacing  
Sensory needs, including noise, lighting, and texture considerations  
Cognitive or neurodivergent needs, including clear instructions and predictable structure  
Communication preferences, including written, verbal, simplified, or step‑by‑step guidance  

Clients are encouraged to share accessibility needs during booking so we can prepare appropriately.

### 1.3. Age Inclusivity  
We work with children, teens, adults, elders, and multigenerational households. For safety, children must be supervised during on‑site cooking.

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2. Terms of Service

2.1. Overview  
By accessing chefmendivel.com or booking services, you agree to these Terms of Service. Chef Mendivel provides premium personal chef, catering, menu design, and culinary education services.

2.2. Scope of Services  
- Private dining and intimate event catering  
- Weekly personal chef services  
- Menu development and culinary consulting  
- Cooking classes for all abilities  
- AI‑assisted menu planning via Cynthia  
- Accessible culinary education  

2.3. Client Responsibilities  
Clients agree to:  
- Provide accurate dietary, health, and accessibility information  
- Maintain a safe, functional kitchen environment  
- Manage pets and children during service  
- Communicate changes promptly  
- Review all policies before booking  

2.4. Chef Responsibilities  
We commit to:  
- Providing inclusive, respectful, premium hospitality  
- Following Oregon Food Sanitation Rules 333‑150‑0000  
- Maintaining safety, professionalism, and confidentiality  
- Communicating clearly and accessibly  

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3. Payment, Deposit & Billing Policy

3.1. Payment Requirements  
- A non‑refundable deposit is required to secure all bookings.  
- Remaining balances are due by the invoice date.  
- Accepted payments include credit/debit card, ACH, and approved digital platforms.

3.2. Non‑Refundable Deposit  
Deposits are non‑refundable under all circumstances, including but not limited to:  
- Illness  
- Weather  
- Travel delays  
- Guest count changes  
- Venue issues  
- Client cancellations  

3.3. Late Payments  
Late invoices may result in:  
- Late fees  
- Loss of reserved date  
- Service cancellation without refund  

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 4. Cancellation, Rescheduling & Refund Policy

4.1. Client Cancellations  
- All cancellations result in forfeiture of the deposit.  
- Cancellations within seven days of the event require full payment of the remaining balance.  
- No refunds are issued for any reason.

4.2. Rescheduling  
Rescheduling is subject to:  
- Chef availability  
- A rescheduling fee  
- Updated pricing if market conditions change  

 4.3. Chef‑Initiated Changes  
In rare cases involving emergencies or safety concerns, we may reschedule or modify service. Clients receive priority rebooking.

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5. Dietary, Allergy, Health & Sensitive Data Policy

5.1. Sensitive Data We Collect  
To safely design menus, we may collect:  
- Food allergies  
- Dietary restrictions  
- Ingredient sensitivities  
- Religious or cultural food practices  
- Accessibility needs  
- Health‑related information relevant to food safety  

This information is considered sensitive personal data and is handled with care.

5.2. Legal Basis for Collecting Sensitive Data  
By submitting dietary, health, or accessibility information, clients provide explicit consent for us to collect, store, use, and process this information solely for the purpose of providing safe, customized culinary services.

We do not use sensitive data for marketing or external purposes.

5.3. Safety Standards  
We follow Oregon Food Sanitation Rules 333‑150‑0000.  
However, we cannot guarantee an allergen‑free environment due to:  
- Supplier cross‑contact  
- Shared equipment  
- Client home environments  

 5.4. Client Acknowledgment  
Clients acknowledge that:  
- All dietary needs must be disclosed in writing  
- Undisclosed allergies or restrictions may pose risks  
- They accept responsibility for incomplete or inaccurate information  

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 6. AI Use, Data Handling & Transparency Policy

 6.1. How AI Is Used in Our Business  
AI supports—but does not replace—the Chef in:  
- Menu creation  
- Dietary analysis  
- Scheduling and intake  
- Client communication  
- Accessibility adaptations  
- Trend analysis  
- Website assistance through Cynthia  

6.2. AI Limitations  
AI does not:  
- Provide medical advice  
- Make final decisions about menus  
- Override food‑safety rules  
- Replace direct communication with the Chef  

 6.3. Data Used by AI  
AI may process:  
- Menu preferences  
- Dietary needs  
- Accessibility notes  
- Event details  
- Website interactions  

AI systems do not use:  
- Payment information  
- Personal identifying information for training  
- Sensitive data for marketing  

6.4. Client Consent  
By using chefmendivel.com or interacting with Cynthia, clients consent to AI‑assisted processing of their submissions and the use of anonymized data to improve our systems.

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7. On‑Site Service Rules

7.1. Kitchen Requirements  
Clients must provide:  
- A clean, safe, functional kitchen  
- Access to water, electricity, and appliances  
- Adequate workspace  
- Clear pathways  

7.2. Safety & Conduct  
To maintain safety:  
- Pets must be secured  
- Children must be supervised  
- Guests must not interfere with cooking  
- Smoking or vaping is not permitted in the kitchen area  

### 7.3. Damages  
Clients are responsible for:  
- Damage caused by guests or pets  
- Unsafe conditions that delay or prevent service  

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8. Media, Photography & Content Policy

8.1. Chef Content  
We may photograph:  
- Food  
- Table setups  
- Non‑identifiable kitchen scenes  

We will never photograph:  
- Faces  
- Children  
- Private areas of your home  

8.2. Client Content  
Clients may share photos of their experience with credit to Chef Mendivel.

 8.3. AI & Menu Data  
Menu submissions may be used to:  
- Improve our AI systems  
- Enhance client experience  
- Analyze trends  

No identifying information is used for training.

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9. Privacy Policy

 9.1. Information We Collect  
- Contact information  
- Event details  
- Dietary and accessibility information  
- Payment details (processed securely by third‑party providers)  
- Website usage data  
- AI form submissions  

### 9.2. How We Use Information  
- To provide services  
- To customize menus  
- To ensure safety  
- To improve our website and AI tools  
- For internal analytics  
- For legally required recordkeeping  

9.3. Data Sharing  
We do not sell or share personal data except with:  
- Payment processors  
- Scheduling platforms  
- Legally required authorities  

9.4. Data Security  
We use industry‑standard security measures to protect your information.

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10. Cookie Policy

We use essential, analytics, and preference cookies to support website functionality and improve user experience. Clients may disable cookies in their browser settings, though some features may not function.

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11. Contact

12. FAQs 

-FAQs are stored with our ai chat assistant Cynthia. 

For questions or concerns, visit:  
chefmendivel.com/contact