Terms of Service

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of theethiopianchef.com and the services provided by The Ethiopian Chef ("we," "us," "our"). By booking a consultation, submitting an intake form, or receiving our services, you agree to these Terms.

1. Our services

We provide (a) weekly in-home meal preparation, in which we cook a set number of meals in your kitchen using ingredients you provide, portion them into labeled foil pans, refrigerate or freeze them, and clean the kitchen; and (b) catering and event services, which are quoted and agreed separately for each event.

2. Ingredients you provide

• You buy the groceries on the list we send before each visit (or use our grocery shopping service, billed at cost plus the service fee).
• We are not responsible for the quality, freshness, labeling, contamination, or recall of ingredients you provide or that we purchase on your behalf from a retailer.
• If you tell us before a visit that an item is unavailable, we will suggest a substitute. If an item is missing at the visit and we were not told in advance, we may skip that dish. Skipped dishes are not refunded unless we agree otherwise.

3. Allergies and dietary needs

• You must tell us about every food allergy, intolerance, and dietary restriction in your household before your first visit, and update us if anything changes.
• We take reasonable care to follow your instructions, but we cook in your home kitchen, which we do not control. We cannot guarantee that any meal is free of allergens or cross-contact.
• You are responsible for deciding whether a meal is safe for each person who eats it.

4. Storage, reheating and consumption

Every pan is labeled with the dish, the date it was prepared, and reheating instructions. Once we leave, storing, reheating, and eating the food is your responsibility. Follow the label and our food-safety guidance (refrigerated meals within 3–4 days; frozen meals within 2–3 months; reheat to 165°F).

5. Scheduling, rescheduling and cancellations

• Meal-prep service is scheduled as a recurring weekly (or every-other-week) visit.
• There is no fee to reschedule or skip a visit, but please give us as much notice as possible so we can adjust our schedule.
• Holiday weeks (including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Genna, and Fasika) are priced at a holiday rate and may have limited availability.
• If we cannot access your home at the scheduled time and we were not told in advance, we may count the visit as completed or charge a reasonable fee, which we will tell you about before your first visit.

6. Pricing, payment and recurring service

• Prices are listed on our Plans & Pricing page and may change. We will tell you before any price change applies to your service.
• After your consultation we send a quote. We invoice for services; invoices are due as stated on the invoice.
• You may pause or cancel recurring service at any time by telling us before your next scheduled visit.
• Introductory and prepayment discounts apply as described on our Plans & Pricing page at the time you sign up.

7. Your kitchen, equipment, access and pets

• You agree to provide a working stove and oven, enough refrigerator and freezer space for your plan, basic cookware, and safe access to your home.
• We use your cookware and equipment with reasonable care. We are not responsible for normal wear or for equipment that was already damaged or faulty. Please tell us about anything that needs special handling.
• Please secure pets during visits as needed, and tell us about any pets in the home.
• If no one will be home, you are responsible for giving us accurate access instructions.

8. Catering and events

Catering is provided under a separate written quote or agreement that sets out the menu, guest count, pricing, deposit, and cancellation terms for your event. If that agreement conflicts with these Terms, the catering agreement controls for that event.

9. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability for any claim arising out of our services is limited to the amount you paid us for the visit or event giving rise to the claim. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.

10. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict-of-laws rules, except where the law of your state of residence requires otherwise.

11. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top shows when they last changed. Continuing to use our services after an update means you accept the updated Terms.

12. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Email hello@theethiopianchef.com.