1. Introduction

Welcome to Bhijams ("we," "us," or the "Platform"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Bhijams website, mobile applications, and services that connect customers with independent home cooks ("Cooks") for in-home cooking sessions across the Greater Toronto Area & surrounding cities in Southern Ontario.

By creating an account or placing a booking, you agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, and our Cancellation & Refund Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Platform.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use the Platform.
By registering, you represent that all information you provide is accurate and complete.
We reserve the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, or cancel bookings at our discretion.

3. How Bhijams Works

Bhijams is a marketplace that connects customers with independent, verified home cooks. We are not a restaurant, catering company, or employer of the Cooks listed on our platform.

Cooks are independent contractors, not employees of Bhijams.
Bhijams facilitates the booking, payment processing, and communication between customers and Cooks.
All cooking sessions take place at the customer's home using the customer's kitchen and cookware unless otherwise agreed upon.

4. Bookings & Payments

4.1 Pricing

Session prices are based on our household tier system: Small (1–2 people, $110/session), Medium (3–4 people, $130/session), and Large (5–6 people, $150/session).
Subscription plans (Bi-Weekly and Monthly) receive discounted per-session rates. Bi-Weekly plans save 8% and Monthly plans save 13% off single session rates.
Each session includes 3-4 items. You may add up to 2 extra dishes at $15 per dish per session.
Additional charges may apply for roti add-on packs ($10 per pack per session).
All prices are in Canadian Dollars (CAD) and include the Cook's fee and the platform service fee.

4.2 Extra Dishes & Add-Ons

Every cooking session includes 3-4 items as standard, regardless of household size.
Customers may add up to 2 extra dishes per session at $15 per extra dish. Extra dishes are charged per session — for subscription plans the charge applies to every session in the plan.
Rotis are included at 5 per person per session. Extra roti packs can be added at $15 per pack per session (each pack adds 5 rotis).
Add-ons are selected at the time of booking and included in the total payment. Extra dish requests cannot be added after payment has been processed.
If a Cook is unable to prepare an extra dish during the session, the customer should contact support within 24 hours for a credit or partial refund on the undelivered add-on.
Each session prepares approximately 2–3 days of Indian meals for your selected household size, depending on groceries purchased, appetite, and how many meals you eat at home.

4.3 Payment Processing

Payments are processed securely through Stripe. Bhijams does not store your credit card information.
Full payment is collected at the time of booking.
A platform service fee (30%) is included in the total price.

4.4 Cook Payouts

Cooks receive 70% of the session price after the session is marked as completed, across all plan types and add-ons.
Payout timelines and methods are governed by separate Cook agreements.

5. Cancellations, Rescheduling & Refunds

Cancellations and refunds are governed by our Cancellation & Refund Policy. Key highlights:

5.1 Cancellations

More than 24 hours before session start: Full refund.
5–24 hours before session start: 90% refund (10% late cancellation fee).
Within 5 hours of session start: Non-refundable — no refund will be issued.
No-shows follow a separate tiered policy (see our No-Show Policy).
For subscription plans, remaining sessions are refunded proportionally. A 10% fee applies if the nearest session is within 24 hours; non-refundable if within 5 hours.

5.2 Rescheduling

More than 24 hours before start: Free reschedule, subject to Cook availability.
5–24 hours before start: May be treated as a late cancellation (10% fee). Contact support.
Within 5 hours of session start: Rescheduling is non-refundable unless the Cook agrees to accommodate the change.
No-show: The session is counted as used with no reschedule option.

5.3 Vacation & Pause

Customers may pause their plan by notifying us at least 3–5 days in advance.
Packages may be extended by a maximum of 7 extra days total to accommodate pauses or vacations.
After the maximum extension period, any unused sessions expire and are not refundable.

6. Food Allergies & Dietary Restrictions

Customers are responsible for disclosing all food allergies and dietary restrictions at the time of booking. The platform supports common allergens including tree nuts, peanuts, dairy/lactose, gluten, shellfish, soy, eggs, and sesame — as well as a free-text field for additional allergies.
Allergy information is shared with the assigned Cook before the session so they can take appropriate precautions.
While our Cooks take reasonable care to accommodate allergies, Bhijams and its Cooks cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment as meals are prepared in your home kitchen.
Customers with severe allergies should exercise caution and communicate directly with the Cook before the session.

7. Customer Responsibilities

Provide a clean, functional kitchen with a working stove, sink, adequate lighting and ventilation, and safe walking space free from hazards.
Purchase all groceries and ingredients before the session (Cooks may provide a shopping list in advance).
Ensure a safe environment for the Cook to work in, including basic access to water and utilities.
Be present (or have an adult present) at the home during the session.
Keep aggressive pets away from the kitchen area during the cooking session.
Keep children away from active cooking areas unless supervised by the customer.
Provide accurate address and contact information.
Treat the Cook with courtesy and respect at all times. Any harassment, pressure, or inappropriate behaviour toward a Cook is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate account suspension.

8. Cook Responsibilities

Arrive on time and prepared for the scheduled session.
Prepare meals according to the agreed-upon menu and dietary requirements.
Maintain food safety and hygiene standards throughout the session.
Leave the kitchen in a clean and tidy condition after cooking.
Communicate promptly with the customer regarding any changes or concerns.

9. Cook Verification & Safety

All Cooks on the Bhijams platform undergo a verification process that includes:

Identity verification and background checks.
Document submission and review (food handler certification where applicable).
In-person or virtual interview with the Bhijams team.
Trial cooking session evaluation.

9.1 Cook Safety Protections

Bhijams verifies all customers (full name, phone number, and address) before bookings are confirmed. Cooks receive complete booking details before each session.
Cooks may designate a trusted contact who receives automatic SMS notifications when a session starts and ends, including the session location and expected finish time.
Cooks confirm arrival and departure through the platform. If a check-in is not received within 30 minutes of a scheduled session start, Bhijams admin is automatically alerted.
Cooks can see customer trust information (including prior booking history and any flags) before accepting a booking.

9.2 Right to Refuse or Leave

A Cook has the right to refuse or leave a session immediately if: the customer behaves in a disrespectful or inappropriate way; the home environment feels unsafe; the kitchen is dangerous or unusable; or the actual situation differs materially from what was described during booking.
No Cook shall be penalized, financially or otherwise, for leaving an unsafe situation in good faith. Safety comes first.
Bhijams may delay or reject a booking if customer details are incomplete or concerning.

9.3 Incident Reporting

If a Cook experiences harassment, injury, unsafe conditions, or any unusual incident during a session, they should contact Bhijams immediately.
Bhijams will record the incident, review the customer account, decide whether the customer should be restricted or permanently blocked, and follow up with the Cook.

While we take reasonable steps to verify our Cooks and protect their safety, Bhijams does not guarantee or warrant the quality, safety, or legality of any Cook's services.

10. Reviews & Ratings

Customers may leave reviews and ratings after completed sessions.
Reviews must be honest, fair, and based on your actual experience.
Bhijams reserves the right to remove reviews that contain abusive language, false claims, or violate these Terms.
Cooks may respond to reviews in a professional manner.

11. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose.
Attempt to book sessions outside of the Platform to circumvent fees.
Harass, abuse, or discriminate against any Cook or customer.
Provide false information in your profile or bookings.
Resell or commercially exploit Platform content without permission.
Interfere with the Platform's security or functionality.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law:

Bhijams is a marketplace platform and is not liable for the actions, omissions, or negligence of any Cook or customer.
Bhijams is not responsible for foodborne illness, allergic reactions, property damage, or personal injury arising from a cooking session.
Our total liability for any claim arising from use of the Platform shall not exceed the amount you paid for the specific booking in question.
Bhijams shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Bhijams, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use of the Platform, violation of these Terms, or infringement of any third-party rights.

14. Intellectual Property

All content on the Platform — including logos, text, graphics, and software — is owned by Bhijams or its licensors and protected by Canadian and international intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, or distribute any Platform content without prior written consent.

15. Account Termination

You may deactivate your account at any time by contacting us at support@bhijams.com.
We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or behave in a manner that harms the Platform community.
Upon termination, any pending bookings may be cancelled and refunded according to our Cancellation Policy.

16. Dispute Resolution

If a dispute arises between a customer and a Cook, Bhijams will attempt to mediate in good faith but is not obligated to resolve the dispute.
Any disputes between you and Bhijams shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Ontario, Canada, in accordance with the Arbitration Act, 1991 (Ontario).
You agree to waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit against Bhijams.

17. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of law principles.

18. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email or through a prominent notice on the Platform. Your continued use of the Platform after the changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

19. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:

Bhijams

Ontario, Canada

Email: support@bhijams.com