Tastes Like Home – Terms of Use

1. Our Agreement With You

Welcome to Tastes Like Home. These Terms of Use ("Terms") are a legally binding agreement between you ("you," "the Customer") and Tastes Like Home Ltd ("we," "us," "our," "the Company"). They govern your access to and use of our website and all associated services (collectively, "the Platform").

By accessing or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference into this agreement.

2. Our Role: An Introductory Venue

The Tastes Like Home Platform is solely an online venue that connects people seeking home-cooked meals with independent, third-party home-chefs ("Chefs").

Our role is strictly limited to:

• Providing a directory of Chef profiles.
• Facilitating the initial introduction between a Customer and a Chef.

You explicitly acknowledge that we do not perform any of the following actions:

• Employ, supervise, or endorse any Chef.
• Cook, prepare, handle, package, or deliver any food.
• Process bookings, handle payments, or act as an agent for either party.
• Conduct background checks, verify credentials, or inspect any Chef's premises.
• Guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of the services provided by Chefs.

Any agreement to provide cooking services is made exclusively between the Customer and the Chef. The Company is not and will not be a party to that agreement.

3. Chef Obligations and Customer Responsibilities

A. Chef Obligations: We require every Chef who lists on our Platform to agree that they will, at all times:

• Operate as a self-employed, independent contractor.
• Comply with all applicable UK laws and regulations, including the Food Safety Act 1990 and associated Food Hygiene Regulations.
• Be appropriately registered with their local council as a food business.
• Hold valid public liability insurance suitable for their business activities.
• Adhere to all regulations concerning food allergen information and labelling.

B. Your Responsibility to Verify: You accept that we do not independently verify the above information. The responsibility for due diligence rests entirely with you, the Customer. Before engaging a Chef, you must independently:

• Verify Credentials: Ask for and check proof of the Chef's food hygiene registration, certifications, and public liability insurance.
• Assess Suitability: Satisfy yourself as to the Chef's skills, experience, and hygiene standards.
• Agree on Terms: Directly negotiate and agree all terms with the Chef, including menus, pricing, dietary needs, scheduling, and payment methods.
• Communicate Allergies: Clearly and explicitly inform the Chef in writing of any and all food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Your engagement of any Chef is a private contract between you and them. You proceed at your own risk.

4. Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability

You understand and accept that engaging an independent Chef to cook in a private home carries inherent risks. These risks include, but are not limited to:

• Food-borne illness, allergic reactions, and other health issues.
• Poor quality food or unsatisfactory service.
• Damage to property, theft, or loss.
• Personal injury to any person present.
• A Chef's failure to provide the agreed-upon services.

By using our Platform, you voluntarily and knowingly assume all such risks and agree to release, waive, and discharge Tastes Like Home Ltd and its directors, officers, and employees from any and all claims, demands, damages, or causes of action arising from or related to your interaction with or engagement of any Chef found through the Platform.

5. Independent Contractor Status

It is expressly understood that all Chefs are independent contractors and not employees, partners, agents, or joint venturers of Tastes Like Home Ltd. We do not exercise any control over the manner, methods, or timing of their work. No clause in this agreement is intended to create an employment relationship.

6. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY'S LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, LOSSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM SHALL BE STRICTLY LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED POUNDS STERLING (£100).

WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, PERSONAL INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM OR YOUR ENGAGEMENT OF A CHEF.

This limitation of liability does not apply to liability arising from our own negligence resulting in death or personal injury, or for our fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

7. Your Indemnity

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Tastes Like Home Ltd, its affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, and employees from and against any and all claims, actions, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) that arise from or are connected to:

• Your use of the Platform and your engagement of a Chef.
• Your breach of any of these Terms.
• Any dispute or issue arising between you and a Chef.
• Your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.

8. Platform Availability Disclaimer

The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or that any information provided on it (including Chef profiles) is accurate, complete, or current.

9. Intellectual Property

All content, logos, graphics, and software on the Platform are the property of Tastes Like Home Ltd or its licensors and are protected by UK and international intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, or distribute any part of the Platform without our prior written consent.

10. Termination

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time and for any reason, without notice or liability, including for any breach of these Terms.

11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and any dispute or claim arising out of them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any such dispute or claim.

12. General Provisions

Entire Agreement: These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding the use of the Platform.

Modifications: We may update these Terms from time to time by posting a new version on our website with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Platform after such a change constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.

Severability: If any provision of these Terms is deemed invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be severed, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

Contact: For any questions regarding these Terms, please contact us at aaryan-swarup@hotmail.co.uk.