TERMS & CONDITIONS

We don’t like writing Terms and Conditions… and we know you don’t like reading them either – but they are here for a reason and that’s to protect both you and HighSake

Please take a few minutes to read through them.

This Agreement applies to all users “you” and “HighSake” (collectively the Parties) and “services” provided by Highsake.

BOOKINGS, CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS & FLEXIBILITY

Once you have confirmed a date and location by email to HighSake, if you need to re-schedule or cancel, we will always do our best to help. If you confirm your cancellation at least 21 days before the confirmed date, you will receive a full refund, minus a 10% of the invoiced amount for our administration charge.

Highsake regrets that we cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 21 days in advance of the confirmed date. In some instances, Highsake may be able to change the date (as long as the date, time, menu and number of people remain the same), subject to the availability of the chef, but this is not guaranteed.

Very rarely there may be a delay in the arrival of your chef, or Highsake may need to cancel your booking for reasons beyond our control, such as adverse weather conditions, sudden illness, unavailability or breakdown of transport or equipment. Should this occur, you will receive a full refund for the hire of the personal chef. Highsake regrets that, in these circumstances, Highsake is unable to reimburse travel, accommodation or any other expenses that you may incur in relation to the cancelled booking.

Changing the number of people attending your dinner party

On booking, Highsake will ask how many people will be attending the dinner party.

If you would like to reduce the number of guests attending your event, please notify Highsake at least 21 days in advance of the confirmed date. Highsake regrets that it is unable to offer any refund.

If you would like to increase the number of guests attending your event, as long as you notify Highsake more than 21 days in advance of the confirmed date, Highsake will arrange for enough ingredients to cover this. There will be an additional charge per person which will be discussed with you and which must be paid in full at least 10 days in advance of the the confirmed date.

PLACING YOUR ORDER

Please choose your order carefully and ensure you have read, asked any relevant questions regarding taste, texture or ingredients and understood the description of the dishes carefully. While Highsake makes every effort to describe all dishes accurately not every single ingredient can be listed. You can request full description of proposed ingredients in each dish prior to ordering, please do so by email. By confirming your menu you acknowledge that you have read and accepted the description and concluding information concerning the dishes and accept responsibility for choosing the goods ordered.

While Highsake makes every effort to prepare food to your personal tastes, Highsake cannot be held responsible of any goods that are not to your liking and such goods cannot be returned, swapped for alternative dishes or costs refunded. HighSake makes no warranties to the accuracy of taste and cannot be held responsible for flavour of fresh ingredients or any subsequent cooked food.

By confirming your menu you acknowledge and accept that your food is made specifically for you from fresh ingredients and other ingredients and therefore cannot be reproduced to exact flavour, colour, texture, taste or quantity and thus variations of these factors will occur in home cooked food. Food cannot be returned, swapped for alternative dishes or costs refunded.

Highsake cannot be responsible if any ingredients are unavailable due to circumstances beyond Highsake’s reasonable control. If an ingredient is unavailable Highsake reserves the right to substitute to a comparable and suitable ingredient. If you do not wish for substitutes to be made please state this at the initial consultation, please note that if you choose not to have substituted ingredients and an ingredient is unavailable that dish cannot be made and no refund for service will be given.

Highsake are not nutritionists, dietitians or medical doctors of any kind. They do not provide medical or nutrition advice. By entering into this agreement with Highsake , you acknowledge and accept that Highsake have advised you of these facts and if you have any medical, nutritional or dietary questions regarding Highsake’s food you are to seek advice from qualified medical doctors and nutritionists. In addition, you acknowledge and accept that Highsake does not make any warranties for any weight loss, medical or any other dietary programs.

Before a Highsake prepares food for you a client consultation will be carried out to assess food preference, dietary requirements, allergies and kitchen equipment available. It is you, the clients responsibility to provide accurate, complete and updated information as required to provide food to your and your family’s tastes and requirements. Highsake does not accept any responsibility or makes any warranties for clients not disclosing any valid information.

In the highly unlikely event that the food is unfit for consumption by fault of Highsake the client must inform Highsake in writing immediately. The food declared by client unfit for consumption can be returned to and tested by Highsake & multiple experts and if found to be unfit for consumption the cost of ingredients of the spoiled food will be refunded at the discretion of Highsake. Highsake will not refund the cost of any food returned to be tested that is deemed not to be spoiled.

EXCLUSIONS

Drinks are not included in any Highsake services unless specified by Highsake . Please contact us to discuss Sake drink options.

PAYMENT

All bookings must be fully paid for in advance.

This is usually done via direct bank transfer/ online banking; all details required for this are shown at the bottom of your invoice.

Tips/gratuities are not included in the cost of Highsake services and are left to your discretion; if you would like to show your appreciation of your Chef and their work please feel free to do so to them directly.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CHEF

Before the chef’s arrival your kitchen should be clean and tidy with clear work surface to a reasonable degree. On arrival, you must show the chef how your kitchen equipment works, including turning on any electrical appliances. You should show the chef what equipment may be used for the dinner party, including pots, pans, electrical equipment, crockery, cutlery and glassware (if necessary), removing it from high cupboards. Any faulty equipment should be removed from the kitchen prior to the dinner party.

We will not tolerate any violent, threatening behaviour, physical aggression or verbal abuse to any of our staff or representatives. If this happens our team will vacate the property immediately and the booking will not continue. No refund will be issued and legal proceedings will be issued against you.

THE WEATHER

If you choose an outdoor location for your dinner party, appropriate cooking facilities must be available. Please ensure that you have a suitable indoor venue available in the case of poor weather. We regret we are unable to reschedule events due to adverse weather.

KITCHEN EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

You must have at least a minimum level of equipment in your kitchen. We will check what equipment you have on booking and discuss any potential issues.

WAIVER 

Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties elsewhere herein, in no event shall either parties be liable to the other parties for any damages: indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary, incurred by the other parties arising out of the use of Services, even if such parties has been advised of the possibility of such damages. You, your heirs, personal representatives or assigns, agents, employees and affiliates, do hereby release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue Highsake, their affiliates, direct or indirect, officers, employees, businesses and agents from liability from any and all claims resulting in personal injury, accidents or illnesses (including death), and property loss arising from, but not limited to, use of the Services. 

INDEMNITY

To the extent provided by law and this Agreement, you shall, at your own cost and expense, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless, HighSake, its Affiliates and Representatives, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns, from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and court costs) which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of Services.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between you and Highsake and supersedes all previous Agreements.

LAW and JURISDICTION

This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Japan, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. The Kyoto District Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate any controversy or claim arising out of or related to this Agreement.