Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing and using the NOLA Kitchen - Private Chef website (nolakitchen.com) and/or engaging our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our website or services.

2. Description of Services

NOLA Kitchen - Private Chef, operated by Chef Mike Thompson, provides private chef services in the greater Austin, TX metro area, including but not limited to:

• Private in-home dining experiences
• Showers and brunch catering
• Culinary demonstrations and cooking classes
• Holiday and corporate event catering
• Crawfish boils
• Vacation rental and corporate pantry stocking
• Hill Country libation tours

All services are subject to availability and are provided at the discretion of NOLA Kitchen. Menus, pricing, and availability may vary and are confirmed during your consultation.

3. Booking and Payment

Booking Process

All bookings require a consultation with Chef Mike to confirm menu details, guest count, event logistics, and pricing. A booking is not confirmed until a deposit has been received and Chef Mike has confirmed availability.

Deposits and Payment

• A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your event date.
• The remaining balance is due on the day of the event unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.
• We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and other common payment methods.
• Prices are as quoted during your consultation and may differ from website estimates based on custom menu selections and event requirements.

4. Cancellation and Refund Policy

• 7+ days before event: Full refund minus a small administrative fee and any non-recoverable costs (e.g., specialty ingredients already purchased).
• 3-7 days before event: 50% refund of the total event cost.
• Less than 48 hours before event: No refund, as groceries and preparation may have already begun.
• Rescheduling: We will make every effort to accommodate rescheduling requests. Rescheduled events are subject to Chef Mike's availability.

NOLA Kitchen reserves the right to cancel due to illness, emergency, or force majeure, in which case a full refund will be provided.

5. Client Responsibilities

As a client, you agree to:

• Provide accurate information about your event, including guest count, dietary restrictions, allergies, and venue details.
• Ensure the cooking venue has a functional kitchen with running water, stove/oven, adequate counter space, and electricity.
• Notify Chef Mike of any food allergies or dietary restrictions at least 48 hours prior to the event.
• Provide final guest count at least 72 hours before the event. Increases after that point are accommodated when possible but may affect pricing.
• Provide a safe, accessible environment for Chef Mike and any additional staff.
• Be present (or have a designated contact) at the venue at the agreed-upon time.

6. Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

Chef Mike takes food allergies and dietary restrictions seriously and will accommodate them to the best of his ability. However, our kitchen and preparation areas may come into contact with common allergens. We cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment. It is the client's responsibility to inform all guests of menu ingredients and to communicate all allergies and restrictions to Chef Mike in advance.

7. Limitation of Liability

• NOLA Kitchen maintains appropriate food safety certifications and follows safe food handling practices.
• NOLA Kitchen is not liable for any adverse reactions to food served, provided that known allergies were not communicated in advance.
• NOLA Kitchen is not responsible for damage to client property resulting from normal cooking activities, pre-existing conditions, or circumstances beyond our control.
• Our total liability for any claim arising from our services shall not exceed the total amount paid for the specific event in question.
• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

8. Intellectual Property

All content on nolakitchen.com, including text, images, logos, and design elements, is the property of NOLA Kitchen - Private Chef and is protected by copyright and intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use our content without written permission.

9. Photography and Testimonials

Chef Mike may photograph food prepared at your event for use on our website, social media, and marketing materials. No photos of guests will be used without explicit consent. If you prefer that no photos be taken, please inform Chef Mike prior to the event.

10. Website Use

You agree not to:

• Use our website for any unlawful purpose.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of our website.
• Submit false or misleading information through our forms.
• Use automated tools to scrape or collect data from our site.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless NOLA Kitchen - Private Chef, Chef Mike Thompson, and any employees or contractors from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from your use of our services or violation of these terms.

12. Governing Law

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from these terms or our services shall be resolved in the courts of Travis County, Texas.

13. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Changes become effective immediately upon posting to our website. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

14. Contact

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, contact us at: