Privacy Policy

Effective date: July 11, 2026

Last updated: July 11, 2026

The Culinary Collective ("we," "us," or "our") operates The Culinary Collective mobile application and related services (the "App" or "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information when you use the App.

By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.

1. Who this policy applies to

The App connects:

• Customers who request in-home chef services, meal prep, and related offerings
• Chefs and culinary professionals who fulfill those services
• Business owners / operators who manage a culinary business on the platform

This policy applies to all users of the App.

2. Information we collect

2.1 Information you provide

Account and profile information

When you register, we may collect:

• Name (first and last)
• Username
• Email address
• Phone number
• Mailing / service address
• Password (stored in hashed form; we do not store plain-text passwords)
• Profile photo (optional)
• Contact preferences (email, phone call, text)

Customer intake questionnaire

If you apply to become a customer of a business on the platform, we may collect answers you provide, which can include:

• Household size (adults and children)
• Dietary restrictions, allergies, and food preferences
• Budget and grocery preferences
• Home access, parking, and building/community instructions
• Pet information
• Health or nutritional goals
• Other information you choose to provide in free-text fields

Service and transaction information

Depending on how you use the App, we may collect:

• Booking requests, schedules, menus, and service preferences
• Meal prep orders and pickup details
• Messages you send through in-app messaging (bookings, meal prep orders, team chat)
• Visit status updates (for example, en route, shopping, cooking, completed)
• Reviews, substitutions, and related service communications
• Business profile information (for owners and chefs)

Payment-related information

Payments are processed by Stripe. We do not store full credit or debit card numbers on our servers. Stripe may collect payment card details, billing information, and related transaction data according to Stripe's Privacy Policy.

Businesses using Stripe Connect may also provide information required to receive payouts through Stripe.

Photos and uploads

If you upload images (for example, recipe cover photos), we collect and store those images.

2.2 Information collected automatically

Device and app information

When you use the App, we may collect:

• Device type and operating system
• App version
• A device identifier used for push notification registration
• Session and authentication tokens (stored securely on your device)
• Last active timestamp
• Push notification token (Expo push token)

Usage information

We may collect basic information about how you interact with the App (for example, authentication events and API activity) to operate, secure, and improve the Service.

We do not continuously collect precise GPS location from your device. Service addresses and directions you provide manually may be used to support scheduling and service delivery.

2.3 Information from third parties

We may receive information from:

• Stripe (payment status, transaction identifiers, Connect account status)
• Invitation links you use to join a business on the platform
• Apple or Google (for push notification delivery)

3. How we use information

We use information to:

• Create and manage your account
• Connect customers with culinary businesses, chefs, and services
• Process bookings, meal prep orders, menus, and payments
• Send service-related communications (including push notifications, if enabled)
• Display visit progress and service updates
• Enable messaging between customers, chefs, and business staff
• Operate Stripe payments and payouts
• Store and display uploaded content (such as recipe images)
• Improve, maintain, and secure the App
• Comply with legal obligations
• Respond to support requests and enforce our terms

We may send you push notifications about bookings, orders, messages, and account activity if you grant permission. You can disable notifications in your device settings and adjust preferences in the App where available.

4. How we share information

We may share information in these situations:

With culinary businesses and service providers

If you register with or book services from a business on the platform, we share relevant information with that business and its authorized staff (including assigned chefs) so they can review applications, plan services, communicate with you, and fulfill bookings.

This may include contact details, service address, questionnaire answers, dietary/allergy information, booking details, and messages.

With service providers (processors)

We use trusted third parties to help operate the Service, including:

These providers process data on our behalf under contractual obligations to protect it.

For legal and safety reasons

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government request, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect rights, safety, fraud prevention, or security.

Business transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

We do not sell your personal information.

5. Data retention

We retain personal information for as long as needed to:

• Provide the Service
• Maintain business and booking records
• Comply with legal, tax, and accounting obligations
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

When information is no longer needed, we delete or anonymize it, subject to legal retention requirements.

6. Security

We use administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect your information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), hashed passwords, and secure device storage for session tokens.

No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your choices and rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate information
• Delete certain information
• Object to or restrict certain processing
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Receive a portable copy of your information

Push notifications: disable in iOS/Android system settings

Contact preferences: update in the App where available

Account deletion: contact us at privacy@theculinarycollective.com

We will respond to verified requests within the time required by applicable law.

8. California privacy rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights, including:

• Right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
• Right to delete personal information (subject to exceptions)
• Right to correct inaccurate personal information
• Right to opt out of the "sale" or "sharing" of personal information

We do not sell personal information. To exercise your rights, contact us at privacy@theculinarycollective.com.

9. International users

The Service is operated from the United States. If you access the App from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the U.S. and other countries where our service providers operate.

10. Children's privacy

The App is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your jurisdiction), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will take steps to delete it.

Household questionnaires may ask how many children live in the home for service planning; that information is provided by an adult account holder.

11. Third-party links

The App may link to third-party websites or services (for example, maps or Stripe-hosted pages). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their policies before providing information.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version with a new "Last updated" date. Material changes may be communicated through the App or by email where appropriate.

13. Contact us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact:

The Culinary Collective

Email: privacy@theculinarycollective.com

Address: United States

Website: https://theculinarycollective.com