Terms & Conditions of Service
These Terms & Conditions apply to private dining, in-home chef services and personal catering services provided by CAE Dining (“CAE Dining”, “we”, “us” or “our”). By confirming a booking, the client (“you” or “your”) agrees to the terms outlined below.
1. Bookings and Confirmation
All enquiries are subject to availability. A booking is confirmed once the client has accepted the written quote, agreed to these Terms & Conditions and paid the required 30% deposit.
The quote will outline the agreed menu or package, number of guests, event date, location, service inclusions and total price.
Any requests to change the agreed menu, guest numbers, service requirements or event arrangements after confirmation are subject to approval by CAE Dining and may result in additional charges.
2. Deposits and Payment
A 30% deposit of the quoted total is required to secure the booking. The remaining balance is due the day of the event. (No later)
Payment is to be made by bank transfer using the details provided on the invoice. The booking is not secured until the deposit has been received.
Where a booking is made within seven days of the event, full payment may be required before the event, as agreed with CAE Dining.
Additional charges agreed to or reasonably incurred under these Terms & Conditions will be invoiced separately and are payable by the date specified on the invoice.
3. Client Cancellations
If you need to cancel a confirmed booking, you must notify CAE Dining in writing as soon as possible.
Cancellation charges will take into account the notice provided, work already undertaken, ingredients and supplies purchased, supplier commitments, staffing arrangements and other reasonable costs incurred in preparing for the event.
The following cancellation schedule is proposed:
More than 14 days before the event: CAE Dining may retain or charge an amount reflecting reasonable costs already incurred and commitments that cannot reasonably be recovered.
Between 7 and 14 days before the event: CAE Dining may charge reasonable costs incurred and committed costs, including ingredients, supplies and staffing that cannot reasonably be cancelled or recovered.
Within 7 days of the event: CAE Dining may charge reasonable costs incurred and committed costs, including perishable ingredients and staffing commitments, together with any other reasonable loss resulting from the cancellation.
Any amount paid above the applicable cancellation charge will be refunded. Cancellation charges will not exceed what is reasonably justified by the circumstances and will be applied subject to applicable consumer law.
The 30% deposit is not automatically forfeited in every cancellation scenario. Any amount retained will be assessed in accordance with this policy and applicable law.
4. Rescheduling
Requests to reschedule must be made in writing and are considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to CAE Dining’s availability.
Where a rescheduling request is accepted, the deposit may be transferred to the new date by mutual agreement. Any additional costs arising from the change, including supplier, ingredient or staffing commitments, will be discussed with the client before being charged.
If an alternative date cannot be agreed upon, the cancellation provisions in Section 3 will apply, subject to applicable law.
5. Guest Numbers and Minimum Spend
The confirmed guest count and any applicable minimum spend will be recorded in the written quote.
Confirmed guest numbers cannot ordinarily be reduced after booking confirmation. Requests to increase guest numbers must be made as early as possible and are subject to approval, kitchen capacity, menu feasibility, staffing and ingredient availability. Additional guests will incur additional charges where agreed.
Where the booking is subject to a minimum spend, that minimum remains applicable even if fewer guests attend than originally confirmed.
The final arrangements and any approved changes must be confirmed in writing.
6. Menus and Dietary Requirements
All dietary requirements, food allergies and intolerances must be disclosed at least seven (7) calendar days before the event.
Requests received less than seven days before the event may not be accommodated. CAE Dining reserves the right to decline late dietary requests where ingredients have been purchased, menus have been prepared or safe preparation cannot reasonably be assured.
Clients must provide accurate and complete information about all dietary requirements and allergies, including the identity of the affected guest and the severity of the allergy where known.
CAE Dining will discuss disclosed dietary requirements and reasonable adjustments in advance. However, unless expressly agreed in writing, CAE Dining does not guarantee an allergen-free environment, particularly in a domestic kitchen where other foods, utensils, equipment and surfaces may have been used.
Where CAE Dining reasonably determines that a disclosed allergy or dietary requirement cannot be safely accommodated, the parties will discuss an appropriate alternative before the event.
Menus may be adjusted where necessary due to seasonal availability, supplier shortages, product quality or circumstances outside our reasonable control. We will endeavour to communicate material changes and provide a suitable alternative where practicable.
7. Kitchen and Client Responsibilities
The client must ensure the kitchen and relevant preparation areas are clean, tidy and accessible when CAE Dining arrives.
Adequate refrigerator space must be available for the safe storage of ingredients and prepared food. The client must also provide access to suitable cooking facilities, clean running water, electricity, adequate lighting and any equipment specifically agreed as the client’s responsibility.
The client must disclose any known limitations of the kitchen, appliances or facilities before the event.
If the kitchen or facilities are materially unsuitable, unsafe or not ready for the agreed service, CAE Dining may need to adjust the menu, service arrangements or timing. Any additional costs or material changes will be discussed with the client as soon as reasonably practicable.
CAE Dining is not responsible for delays caused by inaccessible, unclean or unsuitable facilities that are the client’s responsibility.
8. Service Hours and Additional Time
Unless otherwise specified in the written quote, the service allocation is:
Setup and preparation: Up to 2 hours.
Dining and food service: Up to 2 hours.
Pack-down: Up to 1 hour.
The total allocated service period is five hours, with the two-hour dining period commencing at the agreed service time.
Additional time requested by the client, or reasonably required due to circumstances outside CAE Dining’s control, may incur additional charges. Any applicable overtime rate or additional staffing cost will be communicated and agreed upon where practicable.
Requests for extra courses, extended service, additional preparation or changes to the agreed service schedule may also incur additional fees.
9. Breakages and Property Damage
The client is responsible for the reasonable cost of repairing or replacing property, equipment, tableware or other items damaged or broken by the client or their guests during the event, except to the extent the damage was caused by CAE Dining’s negligence or other conduct for which we are legally responsible.
Any charge will be based on the reasonable repair or replacement cost, taking into account the nature and condition of the item. CAE Dining will provide details of the damage and the basis for any charge.
10. Photography and Privacy
CAE Dining respects the privacy of clients and their homes.
Photographs or videos taken at an event will only be shared publicly, including on social media, the CAE Dining website or promotional materials, with the client’s permission.
Permission to photograph or permission to use images must not be assumed from the booking itself. Where identifiable guests or private spaces are involved, appropriate permission will also be sought.
11. Illness or Cancellation by CAE Dining
If the chef becomes ill or is otherwise unable to attend due to circumstances that prevent the agreed service from being safely or reasonably provided, CAE Dining will notify the client as soon as practicable.
CAE Dining will offer to reschedule the event to a mutually agreed date, subject to availability. If rescheduling is not suitable or cannot be agreed upon, the deposit will be refunded.
This provision does not exclude any additional rights or remedies the client may have under applicable consumer law.
12. Circumstances Outside Our Control
If an event is affected by circumstances outside either party’s reasonable control, including severe weather, emergency, significant supplier disruption or other unforeseen events, both parties will make reasonable efforts to discuss an appropriate solution.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include adjusting the menu or service, rescheduling the event or cancelling the booking. Any refunds, charges or other remedies will be determined fairly, taking into account costs already incurred, the circumstances and applicable law.
13. Food Safety and Leftovers
CAE Dining will take reasonable care in the preparation, handling and service of food.
Once food has been served or handed over to the client, the client is responsible for the appropriate handling, storage and refrigeration of leftovers, including following any food-safety guidance provided by CAE Dining.
Clients should promptly inform CAE Dining of any food-safety concerns during the event so that they can be addressed.
14. Changes to the Booking
Any changes to the menu, event timing, venue, guest count or agreed services must be requested in advance and approved by CAE Dining.
Changes may be declined where they are not feasible, cannot be carried out safely or would materially affect the agreed service. Additional costs arising from approved changes will be communicated before they are incurred where reasonably practicable.
15. Consumer Rights
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law or other applicable legislation.
Where any provision of these Terms & Conditions is inconsistent with a non-excludable legal right, that legal right will prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.
16. Acceptance of Terms
By paying the deposit and confirming the booking, the client acknowledges that they have received, read and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
The written quote and any written variations agreed by both parties form part of the booking agreement.
CAE Dining
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia