Legal
Terms of Service.
The terms that govern your use of the Privae platform. Last updated June 1, 2026.
The terms that govern your use of the Privae platform. Last updated June 1, 2026.
These Terms of Service (together with all policies incorporated by reference, the "Terms" or this "Agreement") constitute a legally binding agreement by and between you and Pickled Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation doing business as Privae ("Privae," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms govern your access to and use of the Privae mobile application, the Privae websites, and all related features, content, and services that we make available (collectively, the "Platform").
PLEASE READ THESE TERMS CAREFULLY. THEY CONTAIN WARRANTY DISCLAIMERS, LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY, AN INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATION, AND, IN SECTION 22, A BINDING INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND CLASS-ACTION WAIVER THAT AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND REQUIRE THE RESOLUTION OF MOST DISPUTES THROUGH INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION RATHER THAN IN COURT. BY ACCESSING OR USING THE PLATFORM, BY REGISTERING FOR AN ACCOUNT, OR BY CLICKING TO ACCEPT THESE TERMS, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS WITHOUT MODIFICATION. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO USE THE PLATFORM.
Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into and made a part of these Terms by reference. By agreeing to these Terms, you agree to the Privacy Policy.
Privae operates an online marketplace and technology platform that connects persons who wish to obtain in-home cooking and meal-preparation services ("Clients") with independent private chefs who offer and provide those services ("Chefs"). Clients and Chefs are referred to collectively as "Users."
Privae provides the Platform only. Privae is not a chef, caterer, food-service establishment, restaurant, or employer of Chefs, and Privae does not prepare, cook, handle, or serve food and does not provide, and is not responsible for providing, any Chef Services. Privae's sole role is to provide the technology that enables Users to find one another, communicate, and transact.
You acknowledge and agree that any agreement for Chef Services is formed directly between the Client and the Chef, that Privae is not a party to that agreement, and that Privae does not direct, supervise, or control, and is not responsible or liable for, the Chef Services or the acts or omissions of any User. Because Privae does not provide the Chef Services, each Chef is solely responsible for the Chef Services that the Chef offers and performs, and each Chef shall defend, indemnify, and hold Privae harmless from and against any claim arising out of or relating to those Chef Services, as further set forth in Sections 8 and 21.
Privae makes no representation or warranty regarding any User, the Chef Services, or the truth or accuracy of any listing, profile, menu, rating, or review. You are solely responsible for your interactions and transactions with other Users.
The Platform is available only to persons who are at least eighteen (18) years of age, or the age of majority in their jurisdiction if higher, and who are able to form a legally binding contract. The Platform is offered only to Users located within the United States. By accessing or using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you satisfy these requirements and that all information you provide is true, accurate, current, and complete.
To book or provide Chef Services, you must register for an account. You agree to (i) provide true, accurate, current, and complete information, (ii) maintain and promptly update that information, (iii) keep your credentials confidential, and (iv) be responsible for all activity that occurs under your account. You may not maintain more than one account, register on behalf of any other person, or transfer or assign your account. We may refuse, suspend, restrict, or terminate any account at our sole discretion, including where we reasonably believe that an account presents a risk to the Platform or to any User or that these Terms have been violated.
Chefs are independent contractors and independent businesses. Nothing in these Terms, and no use of the Platform, creates any employment, agency, partnership, joint-venture, fiduciary, or franchise relationship between Privae and any User. Each Chef, in its sole discretion, determines whether, when, where, and how to offer and perform Chef Services, sets its own menus, hourly rates, and Minimum Duration, and supplies its own skills, methods, and equipment, subject to these Terms. No User has any authority to bind Privae or to make any representation or commitment on Privae's behalf.
If you use the Platform as a Client, you represent, warrant, and agree that you will:
You are solely responsible for evaluating whether a Chef is suitable for your needs, and you are encouraged to review Chef profiles, ratings, and reviews and to confirm all material details directly with the Chef before a Booking.
If you offer or provide Chef Services, you represent, warrant, covenant, and agree that you will:
Chef indemnification. You acknowledge that you, and not Privae, provide the Chef Services. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Privae and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to (i) the Chef Services, (ii) any act or omission by you in connection with the Chef Services, including any illness, allergic reaction, injury, death, or property damage, (iii) your breach of these Terms or of any applicable law, license, or permit, or (iv) any tax obligation arising from your earnings. This obligation is in addition to, and does not limit, the general indemnification in Section 21.
You are solely responsible for the Chef Services you provide and for any harm arising from them.
Payment processor. All payments and payouts are processed through our third-party payment processor, Stripe. By making or receiving payments through the Platform, you agree to Stripe's applicable terms and authorize Privae and Stripe to charge your payment method, process payouts, and share the information necessary to do so.
Pricing and Minimum Duration. Chefs charge for Chef Services on a time basis at an hourly rate that the Chef sets, subject to a Minimum Duration that the Chef sets. The hourly rate displayed to a Client is inclusive of Privae's commission, and the commission is not separately itemized or disclosed to Clients. A separate Privae service fee is shown transparently and charged in addition to the displayed rate. The estimated total, the service fee, and applicable taxes are presented before checkout.
Authorization hold; charge for actual time used. At the time of Booking, you authorize Privae and Stripe to place a temporary authorization hold on your payment method in an initial amount (for example, one hour at the Chef's hourly rate, or the Minimum Duration). After the Chef Services are completed, Privae will charge your payment method for the actual time worked by the Chef, provided that you will be charged for no less than the Minimum Duration, together with the Privae service fee, applicable taxes, and any tip you elect to add. If the actual time worked exceeds the amount of the initial authorization hold, you authorize Privae to charge the additional amount. If the actual time worked is less than the initial authorization hold but at least the Minimum Duration, the hold will be adjusted accordingly.
Privae as limited payment collection agent. Privae collects amounts owed to a Chef as that Chef's limited payment collection agent solely for the purpose of accepting payments from Clients on the Chef's behalf. A Client's payment of the Chef's portion of the Fees to Privae satisfies the Client's payment obligation to the Chef for that Booking, regardless of whether Privae remits the amount to the Chef.
Privae's compensation. In consideration for the Platform, Privae (i) retains a commission out of the amount collected for the Chef Services, which is included within the rate displayed to the Client and is not separately itemized or disclosed to Clients, and (ii) charges a service fee that is disclosed to the Client and added on top of the displayed rate. Privae may change its commission and service fee on a prospective basis by posting updated amounts or otherwise notifying Users.
Chef earnings and withdrawals. Following completion of a Booking and the corresponding charge, the Chef's earnings for that Booking, equal to the amount charged for the Chef Services less Privae's commission and any amounts properly withheld (including for refunds, chargebacks, or adjustments), will be credited to the Chef's balance on the Platform. The Chef may elect to withdraw available balance after the Booking has been completed, or at a later time, subject to identity and payout verification, any applicable holds or reserves, and the processing times of Stripe. Privae does not guarantee any particular payout timing for amounts a Chef chooses to retain in its balance.
Tips. Tips are voluntary, are intended solely for the Chef, and are passed through to the Chef.
Taxes. Each User is responsible for determining and satisfying its own tax obligations. Privae may issue tax forms (including a Form 1099-K to Chefs) where required and may collect the information necessary to do so.
Chargebacks and reversals. If any payment is reversed, charged back, or disputed, Privae may recover the corresponding amount from the responsible User, including by offsetting it against current or future balances or payouts.
The following cancellation and refund terms form part of these Terms and apply to all Bookings.
Client cancellations. A Client may cancel a Booking free of charge if the cancellation is made at least twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled start time of the Booking. If a Client cancels less than twenty-four (24) hours before the scheduled start time, or fails to appear, the authorization hold amount described in Section 9 (the "Holding Amount") will be charged and retained.
Failure to provide groceries. Where the Client is responsible for providing the groceries or ingredients for a Booking, and the Chef arrives at the scheduled time and the required groceries or ingredients are not available, the Booking will be treated as a late cancellation and the Holding Amount will be charged and retained.
Chef cancellations. If a Chef cancels a Booking, the Client will not be charged and any authorization hold will be released. Privae may take action with respect to Chefs who cancel Bookings, including suspension or removal from the Platform.
Cancellation by Privae. Privae may cancel, suspend, or remove any Booking at any time and in its sole discretion. If Privae cancels a Booking, no cancellation fee will be charged to you; however, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you waive and release any claim against Privae for any damages, losses, costs, or other relief arising out of or relating to such cancellation.
Because Privae is not a party to the agreement for Chef Services, any refund, credit, or adjustment beyond what is provided in this Section is a matter to be resolved between the Client and the Chef.
Privae uses third-party providers, including Didit (didit.me), to verify Chef identity and to conduct background checks during onboarding, and Privae may conduct additional screening at any time in its sole discretion.
Background screening is inherently limited and is based solely on information available to the screening provider. PRIVAE DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANT THAT ANY BACKGROUND CHECK OR ANY INFORMATION ON A CHEF'S PROFILE IS COMPLETE, CURRENT, OR ACCURATE, AND PRIVAE HAS NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE IT. PRIVAE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY ACT OR OMISSION OF ANY USER, INCLUDING ANY CRIMINAL, NEGLIGENT, OR OTHERWISE WRONGFUL CONDUCT, OR FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM INFORMATION OBTAINED, OR NOT OBTAINED, THROUGH SCREENING. You are strongly encouraged to verify independently any information that is material to you before entering into a Booking.
The preparation and consumption of food involve inherent risks, including the risk of allergic reactions, cross-contamination, and foodborne illness. Clients are solely responsible for accurately and completely disclosing all allergies, intolerances, and dietary restrictions, and Chefs are responsible for handling food safely and exercising reasonable care in light of the information provided.
PRIVAE DOES NOT PREPARE FOOD, DOES NOT SELECT, INSPECT, OR VERIFY INGREDIENTS OR FOOD HANDLING, AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY ILLNESS, ALLERGIC REACTION, INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR OTHER HARM ARISING FROM THE CHEF SERVICES. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BOOKING, RECEIVING, PREPARING, AND CONSUMING FOOD THROUGH THE PLATFORM.
You may submit Content, including listings, menus, photographs, ratings, and reviews. As between you and Privae, you retain ownership of Content you submit. You grant Privae a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid, sublicensable, and transferable license to host, store, use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, publicly display and perform, and distribute that Content in connection with operating, providing, and promoting the Platform.
You represent and warrant that you own or have all rights necessary to submit your Content and to grant the licenses in these Terms, and that your Content is accurate and does not violate these Terms or any law or third-party right. You may not submit Content that is false, misleading, defamatory, infringing, harassing, discriminatory, obscene, or otherwise unlawful. Privae has no obligation to monitor Content but may, in its sole discretion, remove, screen, edit, or restrict any Content or account at any time.
In addition to the license in Section 13, and in consideration for access to the Platform, each Chef grants Privae a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully paid, sublicensable, and transferable license and right to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, adapt, enhance and alter (including by means of artificial intelligence), translate, create derivative works from, combine with other materials, publicly display and perform, publish, and distribute the Chef Content, in any and all media now known or later developed, for any business purpose, including advertising, marketing, and promotion of the Platform and of Privae.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Chef expressly acknowledges and agrees that Privae may (i) use photographs and images provided by or depicting the Chef, including versions enhanced or modified using artificial intelligence, and (ii) use the Chef's menus, dishes, and ingredient lists to create, reconstruct, and publish recipes and related content, in each case for the purposes described above. The Chef further grants Privae the right to use the Chef's name, business name, likeness, image, and voice as embodied in the Chef Content for such marketing and promotional purposes, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, waives any moral rights and any right of prior inspection or approval. The Chef represents and warrants that it holds all rights and consents necessary to grant the foregoing license and release.
You represent, warrant, and covenant that neither you nor your agents, representatives, employees, contractors, successors, or assignees, and no other person or entity acting on your behalf, shall directly or indirectly interfere with, circumvent, attempt to circumvent, avoid, or bypass Privae in connection with any transaction, arrangement, or relationship involving any User to whom you are introduced, or whom you otherwise meet, through the Platform, including by arranging, soliciting, offering, accepting, providing, or paying for Chef Services outside of the Platform, in order to avoid or reduce Fees or otherwise to obtain any benefit, whether monetary or otherwise. You further agree not to use any third party to do, or to attempt to do, any of the foregoing.
You acknowledge and agree that any violation of this Section would cause Privae substantial and irreparable harm, the full extent of which could not be calculated with mathematical precision, and that monetary damages alone would be an inadequate remedy. Accordingly, in addition to any other rights and remedies available at law or in equity, Privae shall be entitled to seek injunctive and other equitable relief, without the requirement of posting a bond, together with damages, the Fees that would have been payable, costs, penalties, and reasonable attorneys' fees. You acknowledge that this Section benefits both you and Privae, because without its protection Privae would be unable to provide the rights and benefits contemplated by these Terms. Privae strongly advises Users not to engage, hire, or make any payment to any other User outside of the Platform.
You agree that you will not, and will not permit any third party to:
The Platform and all associated content, software, technology, trademarks, service marks, and logos, including the Privae name and marks, are owned by Privae or its licensors and are protected by intellectual-property and other laws. Subject to your compliance with these Terms, Privae grants you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license to access and use the Platform solely for its intended purpose. All rights not expressly granted are reserved by Privae and its licensors.
The Platform integrates with and links to third-party services, including Stripe (payments) and Instacart (optional grocery ordering). Your use of any third-party service is governed by that third party's own terms and privacy policy, and Privae is not responsible or liable for any third-party service. See our Privacy Policy for how these integrations handle your information.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE," WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. PRIVAE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTY ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE. PRIVAE MAKES NO WARRANTY REGARDING ANY USER, THE CHEF SERVICES, ANY CONTENT, OR THE RESULTS OF USING THE PLATFORM, AND DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE PLATFORM WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, TIMELY, OR ERROR-FREE. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties, so some of the above exclusions may not apply to you.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PRIVAE AND ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR GOODWILL, OR FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY, ILLNESS, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE ARISING FROM THE CHEF SERVICES OR THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF ANY USER, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF PRIVAE FOR ALL CLAIMS RELATING TO THE PLATFORM SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE TOTAL FEES PRIVAE RETAINED IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR BOOKINGS IN THE SIX (6) MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS (US$100). Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so some of the above may not apply to you.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Privae and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to (i) your access to or use of the Platform, (ii) your Content, (iii) the Chef Services you provide or your use of Chef Services, (iv) your breach of these Terms or violation of any law or third-party right, or (v) any dispute or interaction between you and any other User. This Section is in addition to, and does not limit, the Chef indemnification in Section 8.
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT REQUIRES YOU AND PRIVAE TO RESOLVE MOST DISPUTES THROUGH BINDING INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION AND WAIVES YOUR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION.
Informal resolution first. Before initiating arbitration, you and Privae agree to attempt to resolve any dispute informally by contacting us at info@privaechef.com and allowing thirty (30) days to reach a resolution.
Agreement to arbitrate. If the dispute is not resolved informally, you and Privae agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by a recognized arbitration provider under its consumer arbitration rules, rather than in court. The Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of this Section.
Exceptions. Either party may (i) bring an individual claim in small-claims court if it qualifies, and (ii) seek injunctive or equitable relief in court for actual or threatened infringement, misappropriation, or violation of intellectual-property rights or unauthorized access to the Platform.
Class-action waiver. YOU AND PRIVAE AGREE THAT EACH MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, COLLECTIVE, CONSOLIDATED, OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person.
Right to opt out. You may opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending written notice to info@privaechef.com within thirty (30) days after you first accept these Terms. If you opt out, Section 23 governs the resolution of disputes.
Jury-trial waiver. Except where prohibited by law, you and Privae waive any right to a trial by jury.
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. To the extent any dispute is not subject to arbitration under Section 22, it shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in New York County, New York, and you irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of those courts.
These Terms remain in effect while you access or use the Platform. You may stop using the Platform at any time. Privae may suspend, restrict, or terminate your access to the Platform at any time, with or without notice and with or without cause, including for any violation of these Terms or any risk to any User or to the Platform. Upon termination, the rights and licenses granted to you cease. Any provision that by its nature should survive termination will survive, including Sections 2, 6, and 8 through 23.
You consent to receive communications, agreements, disclosures, and notices from Privae electronically, and you agree that electronic communications satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing. Privae may provide notices to you by email to the address associated with your account, by posting within the Platform, or by other reasonable means. You may provide notices to Privae at info@privaechef.com.
Privae may modify these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date above and, where appropriate, provide additional notice. Changes are effective when posted unless we state otherwise. Your continued access to or use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using the Platform.
These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any policies incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and Privae regarding the Platform and supersede all prior agreements on that subject. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. Privae's failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of that provision. You may not assign or transfer these Terms without Privae's prior written consent, and any attempted assignment in violation of this Section is void; Privae may freely assign these Terms, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets. Privae will not be liable for any delay or failure to perform resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control. The section headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.
Pickled Systems, Inc. (operating as Privae)
447 Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Email: info@privaechef.com