A booking is not confirmed until the required deposit has been received and written confirmation has been issued by Chef Syed Catering Services. We reserve the right to refuse or decline any booking before confirmation.
Deposit
A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total booking value is required to secure the event date. The booking date will not be reserved until the deposit has been received.
Final Payment
The remaining balance must be paid no later than 7 days before the event unless otherwise agreed in writing. Failure to make payment by the due date may result in cancellation of the booking without refund, and Chef Syed Catering Services reserves the right to recover all outstanding sums, interest, legal costs and debt recovery costs.
Guest Numbers
Guest numbers may be increased, subject to availability, but cannot be reduced once the deposit has been paid. Charges will be based on the number of guests confirmed in the quotation, regardless of the number of guests who attend the event.
Cancellation Policy
The deposit is non-refundable.
Cancellation more than 21 days before the event: only the deposit (25%) will be retained.
Cancellation 15–21 days before the event: 50% of the total booking value will be retained.
Cancellation 7 days or less before the event: 100% of the total booking value will be retained, and no refund will be given.
Changes to the Booking
The agreed service period is stated in the quotation/invoice. Any additional time requested by the client, or resulting from delays caused by the client, will be charged at £15 per hour for each waiting staff member and £30 per hour for each chef.
Overtime Charges
The remaining balance must be paid no later than 7 days before the event unless otherwise agreed in writing. Failure to make payment by the due date may result in cancellation of the booking without refund, and Chef Syed Catering Services reserves the right to recover all outstanding sums, interest, legal costs and debt recovery costs.
Venue Access
The client is responsible for ensuring suitable access, parking, loading facilities, electricity and water where required. Additional labour or transport costs caused by restricted access will be charged to the client.
Equipment Hire
All equipment supplied remains the property of Chef Syed Catering Services. The client is responsible for any loss, theft or damage and agrees to pay the full replacement cost plus any associated delivery or administration costs.
Food Safety
Food is prepared under strict food hygiene procedures. Once food has been served or collected by the client, Chef Syed Catering Services accepts no responsibility for its storage, handling or consumption thereafter.
Allergens
The client must inform us of all allergies and dietary requirements before the event. Although every reasonable precaution is taken, we cannot guarantee the complete absence of allergens due to the nature of food preparation.
Alcohol
Where alcohol is supplied by the client, Chef Syed Catering Services accepts no responsibility for licensing requirements or the behaviour of guests consuming alcohol.
Damage
The client accepts responsibility for any damage caused by themselves or their guests to our equipment, vehicles or property and agrees to pay all repair or replacement costs.
Staff Welfare
Our staff have the right to work in a safe environment. We reserve the right to withdraw staff immediately if they are subjected to abusive, threatening, discriminatory or unsafe behaviour. No refund will be payable.
Photography
Chef Syed Catering Services may photograph food displays, table settings and event areas for promotional purposes unless the client notifies us in writing before the event. We will not knowingly publish identifiable photographs of guests without appropriate permission where required.
Force Majeure
We shall not be liable for delays or failure to perform due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, accidents, road closures, supplier failure, industrial action, pandemics, government restrictions or any other unforeseen event.
Limitation of Liability
Our total liability shall not exceed the total amount paid by the client under the contract. We shall not be liable for indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profit, business interruption or disappointment arising from circumstances outside our reasonable control.
Client Responsibility
The client is responsible for obtaining any permissions required by the venue and ensuring that the venue is suitable for the agreed catering service.
Unpaid Invoices
Outstanding invoices may incur statutory interest and reasonable debt recovery costs. Chef Syed Catering Services reserves the right to commence legal proceedings to recover unpaid amounts.
Complaints
Any complaint relating to the food or service must be raised with our event manager during the event where reasonably possible. Formal complaints must be submitted in writing within 48 hours of the event.
Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
Venue Setup & Clearance
Chef Syed Catering Services is not responsible for venue setup, post-event clearing, tidying, or rubbish removal unless agreed in writing before the event. Any additional services will incur extra charges confirmed in advance.
Acceptance
Payment of the booking deposit or acceptance of the quotation confirms that the client has read, understood and agreed to these Terms and Conditions in full.
