1. Purpose and Who This Policy Covers
Maison Chow is committed to handling personal information responsibly in operating its chef-booking marketplace. This platform-wide Policy describes the information we collect, why we use it, how we share and safeguard it, and the choices available to individuals.
It applies to Clients, Chefs, Chef applicants, gift-card purchasers and recipients, website visitors, and other individuals interacting with Maison Chow. Booking, payment and Chef membership obligations are addressed in the Maison Chow Terms & Conditions; this Privacy Policy applies across those activities.
2. Information We May Collect
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Identity and contact details: names, emails, phone numbers, account identifiers and appropriate verification records.
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Chef applications and qualifications: credentials, work history, food-safety certification, insurance evidence, portfolio materials and relevant verification details.
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Booking and service details: location/address, dates, guest counts, requested Experiences, instructions, communications, status updates, reviews and service-related incidents.
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Dietary and allergy details: relevant restrictions, allergies and other sensitive information voluntarily supplied for safe matching and service delivery.
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Payment-related records: transactions, payment-source categories, Wallet and Gift Card histories, payout and dispute records; payment processors may collect payment credentials directly.
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Website and security information: device/browser information, essential logs and cookies or similar technologies, as disclosed through the website.
We seek to collect only information reasonably necessary for identified purposes and will explain additional collection when required.
3. How We Use Information
Maison Chow uses relevant information to establish and secure accounts; review and verify Chef applications; operate bookings and matching; help Clients and Chefs communicate; administer payments, refunds, Gift Cards and Wallets; resolve incidents and disputes; provide support; prevent misuse and fraud; meet legal and accounting obligations; and improve the reliability and security of the service.
Sensitive allergy and dietary information is used only where reasonably needed for safe service planning, preparation, communication, or lawful incident response. It is not used for unrelated advertising without an appropriate lawful basis and consent.
5. Chef and Assistant Confidentiality
Chefs and their assistants may use Client contact details, addresses, dietary information, and booking communications only for the agreed Experience, legitimate booking records, safety matters, unresolved disputes, or legal obligations. They must not disclose Client information to unrelated people, use Maison Chow-supplied details for independent marketing, or solicit off-platform business using that information without appropriate authorization and consent.
Chefs are responsible for making sure their assistants respect confidentiality and access only information needed to perform their assigned tasks. Information should not be copied, retained, or shared beyond a legitimate need.
6. Photography, Video, and Publication Consent
Permission to capture: Before photographing or recording during a Client Experience, the Chef or assistant must obtain the Client's permission, including for pictures of food prepared in the Client's home. No unauthorized audio or video recording is permitted.
Separate permission to publish: Consent to take a photograph or video does not grant permission to publish, post to social media, advertise, or add it to a portfolio. The Chef must obtain separate, specific consent for each proposed publication or promotional use.
Photographs or recordings involving minors require appropriate parent or guardian permission. Chefs must respect the privacy of Clients, guests, residences, identifying information and personal belongings, including the privacy of any third parties appearing in content.
Chefs may request and document the Client's permission through Maison Chow's booking-specific chat after the Booking has been accepted. Permission to capture and permission to publish must be requested separately. The Client's decision must be respected.
Limited safety or incident documentation may be collected where appropriate and lawful, using the minimum necessary detail and secure reporting channels. It must not be repurposed for marketing.
7. Arrival Information and Optional GPS
Chefs confirm routine attendance by selecting Arrived. If optional GPS location-sharing functionality is available, Chefs may choose whether to use it. Any collection of location information is limited to disclosed service purposes and subject to applicable consent requirements.
A manual Arrived status alone may not be sufficient proof of a Client no-show or failed access; supporting evidence may be requested in a dispute, consistent with the Booking Policy.
8. Booking Chat and Sensitive Communications
Booking-specific Client-Chef chat becomes available only after the Chef accepts the Booking. Communications may be retained as reasonably needed to coordinate service, document permitted consent, investigate incidents, resolve disputes, or meet lawful recordkeeping duties. Chat content and attachments should be accessible only to authorized people with a legitimate purpose.
Clients and Chefs should avoid posting unnecessary identity records, financial credentials, or unrelated sensitive information in chat.
9. Account Security and Safeguards
Maison Chow will apply reasonable technical, organizational and administrative safeguards proportionate to the sensitivity of the information, including role-based access, secure payment-provider integrations and controls for staff access. Chefs and Clients are responsible for protecting their account credentials and promptly reporting suspected unauthorized access.
No internet system is perfectly secure. Maison Chow will assess and respond to suspected privacy incidents, including notification where required by applicable law.
10. Retention, Account Closure and Deletion
Clients and Chefs may request account closure and deletion of eligible personal information. Maison Chow will delete, anonymize, or restrict data when no longer reasonably necessary, subject to lawful retention needs.
Financial ledgers, transaction history, consent records, fraud-prevention material, food-safety incidents, and unresolved dispute records may need to be retained for a justified period. Account closure does not require immediate deletion of all legally necessary records. Access to retained information will be appropriately limited.
Chefs must also securely remove Client data they no longer reasonably need and must not retain it for unrelated marketing or solicitation.
11. Individual Privacy Rights and Choices
Subject to applicable law and verification of identity, individuals may request access to personal information, correction of inaccurate information, withdrawal of consent where legally applicable, or information about privacy handling. Withdrawal of consent may affect services that necessarily rely on that information; it does not invalidate processing lawfully completed before withdrawal or override required recordkeeping.
Individuals may raise privacy concerns through Maison Chow's designated privacy contact listed below.
Privacy Contact: __________________________ Privacy Email: __________________________ Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________
13. Children and Third Parties
The marketplace is not intended for children to register independently unless Maison Chow expressly supports such access and obtains legally appropriate authorization. Parents or guardians must provide any required consent for
information or images concerning minors. A Client submitting guest or third-party dietary information should share only what is necessary and appropriately authorized.
14. Changes and Applicable Law
Maison Chow may update this Policy with appropriate notices and consent where required. The published version and effective date should be maintained. This Policy will be interpreted under applicable Canadian and Ontario law, including applicable privacy obligations. Nothing in it limits rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
1. Purpose and Who This Policy Covers
Maison Chow is committed to handling personal information responsibly in operating its chef-booking marketplace. This platform-wide Policy describes the information we collect, why we use it, how we share and safeguard it, and the choices available to individuals.
It applies to Clients, Chefs, Chef applicants, gift-card purchasers and recipients, website visitors, and other individuals interacting with Maison Chow. Booking, payment and Chef membership obligations are addressed in the Maison Chow Terms & Conditions; this Privacy Policy applies across those activities.
2. Information We May Collect
-
Identity and contact details: names, emails, phone numbers, account identifiers and appropriate verification records.
-
Chef applications and qualifications: credentials, work history, food-safety certification, insurance evidence, portfolio materials and relevant verification details.
-
Booking and service details: location/address, dates, guest counts, requested Experiences, instructions, communications, status updates, reviews and service-related incidents.
-
Dietary and allergy details: relevant restrictions, allergies and other sensitive information voluntarily supplied for safe matching and service delivery.
-
Payment-related records: transactions, payment-source categories, Wallet and Gift Card histories, payout and dispute records; payment processors may collect payment credentials directly.
-
Website and security information: device/browser information, essential logs and cookies or similar technologies, as disclosed through the website.
We seek to collect only information reasonably necessary for identified purposes and will explain additional collection when required.
3. How We Use Information
Maison Chow uses relevant information to establish and secure accounts; review and verify Chef applications; operate bookings and matching; help Clients and Chefs communicate; administer payments, refunds, Gift Cards and Wallets; resolve incidents and disputes; provide support; prevent misuse and fraud; meet legal and accounting obligations; and improve the reliability and security of the service.
Sensitive allergy and dietary information is used only where reasonably needed for safe service planning, preparation, communication, or lawful incident response. It is not used for unrelated advertising without an appropriate lawful basis and consent.
5. Chef and Assistant Confidentiality
Chefs and their assistants may use Client contact details, addresses, dietary information, and booking communications only for the agreed Experience, legitimate booking records, safety matters, unresolved disputes, or legal obligations. They must not disclose Client information to unrelated people, use Maison Chow-supplied details for independent marketing, or solicit off-platform business using that information without appropriate authorization and consent.
Chefs are responsible for making sure their assistants respect confidentiality and access only information needed to perform their assigned tasks. Information should not be copied, retained, or shared beyond a legitimate need.
6. Photography, Video, and Publication Consent
Permission to capture: Before photographing or recording during a Client Experience, the Chef or assistant must obtain the Client's permission, including for pictures of food prepared in the Client's home. No unauthorized audio or video recording is permitted.
Separate permission to publish: Consent to take a photograph or video does not grant permission to publish, post to social media, advertise, or add it to a portfolio. The Chef must obtain separate, specific consent for each proposed publication or promotional use.
Photographs or recordings involving minors require appropriate parent or guardian permission. Chefs must respect the privacy of Clients, guests, residences, identifying information and personal belongings, including the privacy of any third parties appearing in content.
Chefs may request and document the Client's permission through Maison Chow's booking-specific chat after the Booking has been accepted. Permission to capture and permission to publish must be requested separately. The Client's decision must be respected.
Limited safety or incident documentation may be collected where appropriate and lawful, using the minimum necessary detail and secure reporting channels. It must not be repurposed for marketing.
7. Arrival Information and Optional GPS
Chefs confirm routine attendance by selecting Arrived. If optional GPS location-sharing functionality is available, Chefs may choose whether to use it. Any collection of location information is limited to disclosed service purposes and subject to applicable consent requirements.
A manual Arrived status alone may not be sufficient proof of a Client no-show or failed access; supporting evidence may be requested in a dispute, consistent with the Booking Policy.
8. Booking Chat and Sensitive Communications
Booking-specific Client-Chef chat becomes available only after the Chef accepts the Booking. Communications may be retained as reasonably needed to coordinate service, document permitted consent, investigate incidents, resolve disputes, or meet lawful recordkeeping duties. Chat content and attachments should be accessible only to authorized people with a legitimate purpose.
Clients and Chefs should avoid posting unnecessary identity records, financial credentials, or unrelated sensitive information in chat.
9. Account Security and Safeguards
Maison Chow will apply reasonable technical, organizational and administrative safeguards proportionate to the sensitivity of the information, including role-based access, secure payment-provider integrations and controls for staff access. Chefs and Clients are responsible for protecting their account credentials and promptly reporting suspected unauthorized access.
No internet system is perfectly secure. Maison Chow will assess and respond to suspected privacy incidents, including notification where required by applicable law.
10. Retention, Account Closure and Deletion
Clients and Chefs may request account closure and deletion of eligible personal information. Maison Chow will delete, anonymize, or restrict data when no longer reasonably necessary, subject to lawful retention needs.
Financial ledgers, transaction history, consent records, fraud-prevention material, food-safety incidents, and unresolved dispute records may need to be retained for a justified period. Account closure does not require immediate deletion of all legally necessary records. Access to retained information will be appropriately limited.
Chefs must also securely remove Client data they no longer reasonably need and must not retain it for unrelated marketing or solicitation.
11. Individual Privacy Rights and Choices
Subject to applicable law and verification of identity, individuals may request access to personal information, correction of inaccurate information, withdrawal of consent where legally applicable, or information about privacy handling. Withdrawal of consent may affect services that necessarily rely on that information; it does not invalidate processing lawfully completed before withdrawal or override required recordkeeping.
Individuals may raise privacy concerns through Maison Chow's designated privacy contact listed below.
Privacy Contact: __________________________ Privacy Email: __________________________ Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________
13. Children and Third Parties
The marketplace is not intended for children to register independently unless Maison Chow expressly supports such access and obtains legally appropriate authorization. Parents or guardians must provide any required consent for
information or images concerning minors. A Client submitting guest or third-party dietary information should share only what is necessary and appropriately authorized.
14. Changes and Applicable Law
Maison Chow may update this Policy with appropriate notices and consent where required. The published version and effective date should be maintained. This Policy will be interpreted under applicable Canadian and Ontario law, including applicable privacy obligations. Nothing in it limits rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.