Indulgence By Rachael, LLC
Terms and Conditions

1. 1. Agreement.
   These Terms and Conditions (the “Ts&Cs”) form an integral part of the overall agreement between you (referred to herein as the “Client”) and Indulgence By Rachael, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (“IBR”) and should be read together with the confirmation letter given to you by IBR (the “Letter”). It is that Letter and these Ts&Cs which collectively form the provisions of IBR’s agreement with you (referred to herein collectively as the “Agreement”). When you send us your signed copy of the Letter, you are acknowledging having read and understood all the provisions within that Letter and these Ts&Cs.
    

2. Nature of Services.
In hiring IBR, you understand and agree that the services requested of IBR will be performed by chefs contracted for hire through IBR, and by service staff which are employees of IBR Our chefs will perform some or all of the following services for you: work with you to develop and create a personalized menu for your event(s), conduct all grocery shopping required to prepare the meal(s) designed by the chef, meal preparation and presentation, and kitchen clean-up, (hereafter referred to as the “Services”).
 

3. You Received an Estimate with The Letter.
You understand that any additions or deletions from the services, menu, or scope of the engagement will be accomplished verbally and/or through email. Confirmation of such changes will be reflected in contemporaneous notes
made by IBR and included in the Client’s IBR file. Though IBR shall endeavor to send confirming e-mails to the Client to confirm the nature of a change, such an e-mail is not a prerequisite to Client being bound for the cost associated with any modification of the estimate. Final costs are subject to change for various reasons including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Event Size. If your guest count increases substantially before the event we will do our best to provide additional service staff, for which added cost Client shall be responsible. If we are unable to provide additional staffing an additional charge may be added to your final bill to cover the increase in duties. Likewise, if Client’s guest count decreases and the service staff, IBR has arranged is no longer needed, there will be a minimum seventy-five dollar ($75) charge for each person we must take off the calendar. IBR reserves the right to charge in full despite the guest decrease.
b. Planning. You will note that “planning” is an item referenced in the estimate. This relates to the amount of time the chef dedicates to working with Client in planning the Client’s event.
c. Substitutions. The chef contracted to work for client by IBR reserves the sole discretion to substitute seasonal or specialty grocery items because of availability, freshness or quality.
d. Unforeseen Costs. Client is responsible for any additional costs which are unforeseen at the time the Agreement is entered into, but arise from issues beyond the reasonable control of IBR In other situations there may be other unforeseen consequences that necessitate a modification in costs.
e. Gratuity. All estimates do not include gratuity. If you wish to include gratuity, it must be in the form of cash only.

 

4. Payment to IBR
a. Advance/Deposit. A check/credit for partial advance payment in the amount of thirty percent (30%) or $300 (which ever is greater) of the estimate must be received by IBR within fourteen (14) business days of the date on which a Client executes the Letter. Specific dates will not be guaranteed until the advance for the event is received by IBR. All deposits are non-refundable.
b. General. Full payment is due on the date of the event, at its conclusion. It is acknowledged and agreed that IBR Is authorized to charge a Client’s credit card on file (pursuant to the authorization set forth in the Letter) at the time IBR Is reasonably certain what the balance owed will be for an event, and it is understood that this may be up to 24 hours or more before the event’s conclusion. It is further understood and agreed that there may be additional incidental expenses about which IBR does not become aware until the conclusion of an event, and that IBR will make an additional charge against the Client’s credit card on file for such additional incidental expenses as soon as possible after the event. Client represents and warrants that the credit limit for the credit card authorization granted to IBR is sufficient to cover the anticipated charges arising from this agreement. IBR will mail Client a final invoice as soon as possible after the event to which the invoice pertains.

c. We accept payment by check and credit card only. 
d. Late Payments. A penalty of five dollars ($5) per day will be applied to all invoices outstanding after two (2) weeks following the conclusion of an event. Accounts not paid within thirty (30) days are referred to an attorney or collection agency for collection.

 

5. Cancellation Policy.
a. Cancellation by Either Party. Either party may cancel fourteen (14) calendar days or more before the date of a event. All deposits are non-refundable.
b. Cancellation by IBR. IBR may cancel in the event it cannot obtain the appropriate service staff for a Client’s event, or for a reason outside the reasonable control of IBR, but shall strive to give Client as much notice as is practicable. In the event of such cancellation, IBR will refund all amounts paid by Client up to the point of cancellation if less than fourteen (14) days in advance unless cancellation is on account of foul weather, road blockages, power outages, fires, flood, storm, explosions, acts of God, war, governmental action, labor conditions, earthquakes, material shortages, no parking or any other cause which is beyond the reasonable control. 
c. Cancellation by Client. If Client cancels fourteen (14) days or more prior to the date of the event, Client’s advance will be refunded to Client, after deducting the following fees: i) a two hundred dollar ($200) cancellation fee, ii) reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by IBR, iii) a fee of seventy-five dollars ($75) per service staff reserved on Client’s behalf, and iv) any food costs incurred up to that point. To the extent the advance funds are insufficient, then Client shall be invoiced for the remaining balance. Cancellation within thirteen (13) days or less of the date of the event will result in a forfeiture of Client’s entire advance. In addition to forfeiture of the advance, IBR reserves the right to request reimbursement for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by IBR on behalf Client. Such reimbursement is in addition to the forfeited advance.

 

6. Invoices.
All invoices include the costs and fees which include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
a. Chef’s Fee or Per Plate Fee. The chef’s fee is based upon the rate set forth in the estimate which accompanied your Letter. The chef uses his or her time to: take your call, create your menu, visit your event site and kitchen (if necessary), provide you an estimate, shop, reserve & order, travel to (but not from) the event site, prep, present the meal and clean up. In general, depending on the food, most in-home dining and events “average” between $130 to $180 per guest and up. In general prices do not go any lower than $75 per guest plus the price of food, depending on serving style and complexity of the menu. For larger buffet style and outdoor BBQ events with high head-counts the prices can adjust a little lower. Once again, it all depends on your specific event. Interactive in-home cooking classes and lessons start at $75 per person and include menu planning, prep lists, recipes and chef fees for the event. Meal prep services start at $450 for a 3x4 plan (three meals, four servings each) and does not include the price of groceries and surcharges. 
In-home private event fees that are served buffet style of 50 people or less have a fixed range.  They are as follows:
1/4 Day – 2 hours: 200.00 to 250.00
1/2 Day – 4 hours: 400.00 to 450.00
3/4 Day – 6 hours: 600.00 to 775.00
1 Day – 8 hours: 800.00 to 1075.00
Additional hours or part hours are billed at 75.00 dollars per hour.
b. Service Staff. Depending on the menu, service staff may be required for your event. The service staff is arranged by IBR and charged to you at four hundred dollars ($200) per person per shift, unless provided otherwise in the estimate which accompanied your Letter. A “shift” for this purpose is the length of service necessary for the particular meal(s) or event(s) for which IBR is hired, most typically a period is four (4) hours. If it is necessary to extend the time beyond 4 hours, Client will be billed in additional half shift increments at $150 for every two hour blocks. Client is billed for a full shift, if the staff is "clocked in" under the 4 hour period. 
c. Holidays. Holiday rates are calculated at one and a half (1.5) times the regular rate for chef and service staff charges. The following days or dates are considered holidays for this purpose:
New Year’s Eve (December 31)
New Year’s Day (January 1)
Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January)
Valentine’s Day (February 14)
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
Easter Sunday
Mother’s Day (second Sunday in May)
Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
Father’s Day (third Sunday in June)
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day (first Monday in September)
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
Christmas Day (December 25)
d. Food and Beverage Costs/ Party Rental and Supply Costs. Food and beverage and party rental and supply costs are direct costs. We do your shopping and, if requested, reserve party supplies and equipment. We do not mark up these costs or profit from them in any way. We charge for the chef’s time to shop or reserve these items.
e. Loading Fee. A loading fee of up to two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) may be applied to events not held in a private home/kitchen, locations that require extensive loading and unloading, or for events of more than thirty-six (36) people.
f. Special Purchases. Sometimes our clients request a menu for which their kitchen is not yet equipped. If special services or preparation time are required to accommodate Client’s request(s), IBR will first determine if the items can be rented (e.g., sushi or fondue sets); if they are unavailable for rental IBR will purchase the items. The amount of these special purchases will be included on your invoice; after the event they are yours to keep. To the extent you do not wish to keep such items, IBR reserves the right to charge a fee for removal of such items, and no credit against a Client’s invoice will be given for their value.
g. Chef’s Supply & Pantry Fee. If you request the use of the private chef’s supplies (e.g. tables, serving bowls and platters, etc.) we will apply a chef’s supply fee for the use of these items. Additionally, rather than purchasing every item needed to complete your menu (e.g. baking soda or salt, etc.) we may choose to use ingredients from the chef’s pantry and apply a nominal pantry fee to your invoice.
h. Gratuity. All invoices do not include gratuity. If you wish to include gratuity, it must be in the form of cash only.
i. The Administration Fee. The administration fee is fifteen percent (15%). This is not gratuity. It is IBR’s charge for office services such as securing service staff, submitting quotes and menu drafts, invoicing, office supplies etc. (Catering companies traditionally charge eighteen percent (18%) for these services.) This charge is applied to your chef and staff costs only.

j. Surcharges. IBR will charge the Client the cost of the groceries plus a thirty percent (30%) surcharge of the total grocery bill. This surcharge is for the time and fuel for obtaining the groceries for the client.
 

7. Photography Release:

IBR utilizes social media sites as a way to offer photo sharing of Chef Rachael’s work. In order to post the photos from ANY session/event/party to any type of online account such as social media sites or utilize the client's photos in any way for advertising, client examples, or sharing, a release is required. Upon signature of your chef contract, you are providing permission for the release to apply to all individuals, and private locations who are being photographed at the identified session. For valuable consideration received, the client grants to IBR the absolute and irrevocable right and unrestricted permission concerning any photographs that Chef Rachael has taken or may take in the private venue or property, to use, reuse, publish, and republish the photographs in whole or in part, individually or in connection with other material, in any and all media now or hereafter known, including the internet, and for any purpose whatsoever, specifically including illustration, promotion, art, editorial, advertising, and trade, without restriction as to alteration; and to use the client’s name in connection with any use if she so chooses. The client releases and discharges Chef Rachael and IBR from any and all claims and demands that may arise out of or in connection with the use of the photographs, including without limitation any and all claims for libel or violation of any right of publicity or privacy. This authorization and release shall also inure to the benefit of the heirs, legal representatives, licensees, and assigns of Chef Rachael, as well as the person(s) and private property for whom she took the photographs. The client is a legally competent adult and has the right to contract in their own name.

 

8. Insurance.

IBR reserves the right to requisition that Client do either or both of the following, at Client’s own expense: a) Make IBR an additional insured on Client’s homeowners insurance policy; and/or b) obtain an HO-3 rider through Client’s
homeowner’s insurance carrier which will protect chefs and service staff working for Client under the Agreement.

 

9. Liability

a. Damages. Client shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless IBR, and IBR’s managers, members, employees and contractors from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, expenses, obligations, liabilities, damages, recoveries, and deficiencies, including interest, penalties, and reasonable attorney fees and costs, that IBR may incur or suffer and that result from Client’s breach or failure of Client to perform any of the obligations set forth in this Agreement, or from Client’s negligence or any willful act, or the negligence or willful act of any of Client’s agents, guests, associates, or related parties.

b. Food Safety. The chef, service staff, equipment and food prepared for Client are all provided by or through IBR entirely at the Client’s risk. IBR shall be under no liability to the Client for any loss or damage resulting from any defect in the services or food, or the failure of any equipment or supplies, regardless of whether IBR had any prior knowledge. IBR is not liable for any injuries sustained as a result of IBR’s involvement at a Client’s event, including but not limited to any injury resulting from the action or inaction of the chef or service staff, or sickness from any food prepared. It is the sole obligation of Client to discern the potential of Client or Client’s guests for allergic reactions, and Client’s obligation to affirmatively discern from the chef what ingredients pose a special threat.
c. Alcohol. If alcohol is to be served at a Client’s event, it is the Client’s obligation to procure all alcohol and the bar setup necessary (e.g., olives, napkins, mixer, etc.) for the event; however, IBR may assist Client in determining the amount and variety of beer, wine and liquor which may be appropriate given the nature of the event, and food to be served. While IBR service staff may assist a Client in the serving of alcohol, this is done under the strict direction and control of the Client. It is Client’s sole and absolute obligation to ensure those served are of legal age. Unless IBR service staff is expressly advised otherwise, it shall be presumed that all attendees at a Client’s event where alcohol is to be served have all been confirmed by Client to be of legal age, using proper identification, with picture and birth date. It is also Client’s sole responsibility and liability to ensure that those who are attending an event who will be driving are not served alcohol after their blood alcohol content reaches or exceeds the legal limit for intoxication for purposes of violations for driving under the influence. Client understands and agrees that IBR service staff will rely exclusively on Client’s active direction in this regard.

 

12. Miscellaneous Provisions.
a. Severability. If a court holds any provision of the Agreement to be illegal, unenforceable, or invalid in whole or in part for any reason, the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions, or portions of them, will not be affected unless an essential purpose of the Agreement would be defeated by the loss of the illegal, unenforceable, or invalid provision.
b. Force Majeure. Neither party shall be liable hereunder by reason of any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder (except for the payment of money) on account of foul weather, road blockages, power outages, fires, flood, storm, explosions, acts of God, war, governmental action, labor conditions, earthquakes, material shortages or any other cause which is beyond the reasonable control of such party. In the event that IBR cannot provide the Services as planned, we will submit for payment an invoice for the labor and expenses incurred up to that point.
c. Choice of Law and Forum. The Agreement is entered into and is to be performed, and/or deemed performed, in Shenandoah County, Virginia. The Agreement, and any dispute arising from the relationship between the parties to the Agreement, shall be governed by Virginia law regardless of any conflict of law provisions, including any laws that direct the application of another jurisdiction's laws, unless rights concerning intellectual property are at issue, in which case federal law shall apply. The parties expressly submit to the jurisdiction of Virginia in general, and specifically to the jurisdiction of the courts of Shenandoah County, Virginia for any action brought in state court.

d. Waivers. No waiver or amendment, including those by custom, usage of trade or course of dealing, of any provision of these Ts&Cs will be effective unless in writing. One party’s waiver of any default or breach under these Ts&Cs by the other shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent default or breach.
e. Signatures. These Ts&Cs may be signed in counterparts, which together shall constitute one contract. Faxed signatures shall be construed to be as valid as originals, as well as electronic signatures.
f. Survival. The rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to protect the rights and enforce the obligations of the parties.
g. Notice of Terms and Conditions. Upon signing the Letter, Client will attest to having read these Ts&Cs, and will be provided a copy of them if requested. These terms and conditions are posted online at the IBR website, (the URL to which is www.indulgencebyrachael.com). Attestation of having read these Ts&Cs in the Letter and the availability of them on our website prior to signing the Letter shall be deemed to constitute actual notice to the Client of these Ts&Cs and the Client shall be bound hereby.
h. Mediation & Arbitration. The parties agree to meet and confer in good faith to attempt to resolve any dispute arising out of the Agreement. Any disputes which are not resolved by meeting and conferring may be submitted to mediation in Shenandoah County, Virginia under a mutually agreeable mediator, or, if one cannot be found, under the rules of JAMS Endispute. If the parties cannot agree on mediation or a mediator within twenty (20) days, they may agree to submit the dispute to binding arbitration in Shenandoah County, Virginia in accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. It is expressly agreed that the arbitrator shall be empowered and permitted to grant preliminary and permanent equitable relief in addition to awarding damages. To the extent
the parties cannot agree to mediation or arbitration, and a mediator or arbitrator, within forty (40) days of the dispute, this alternative dispute resolution section shall be void and inapplicable. To the extent mediation, arbitration or judicial proceedings involve enforcement or payment of money owed to a party, or for other fees or costs incurred by that party in enforcing its rights under the Agreement, the prevailing party will be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, including mediation or arbitration fees (if applicable).