Terms and Conditions

1. Introduction

1.1 These Terms and Conditions govern the use of our platform and services ("Services"). By accessing or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

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2. Definitions

Services: Refers to the products, features, and functionalities provided by the International Culinary Union, including access to the Online Chef Office, membership benefits, educational courses, and any other related offerings.

Online Chef Office: The digital platform provided by the International Culinary Union where members can manage their profiles, access resources, participate in forums, and engage with educational content.

Member/Client: An individual who has registered for and holds an active subscription or membership with the International Culinary Union to access the Services.

Mentor: In the context of the International Culinary Union (ICU), a mentor is an experienced chef and active member who introduces and guides other chefs within the organization. Mentors provide support, share knowledge, and facilitate professional development for their mentees, contributing to the growth and success of chefs within the culinary community.

Chef Star 1: The Chef Star 1 award is the first level of recognition in the ICU Career Awards hierarchy. This award is granted to chefs who have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and contribution to the culinary arts.

Chef Star 2: The Chef Star 2 award represents a higher level of achievement within the ICU Career Awards. It is awarded to chefs who have significantly advanced their culinary expertise and leadership.

Chef Star 3: The Chef Star 3 award is given to chefs who have reached an elite level of professional accomplishment and influence in the culinary field.

Golden Chef: The Golden Chef award is the highest honor within the ICU Career Awards, recognizing chefs who have made outstanding contributions to the culinary arts at a global level.

VIC (Very Important Chef) Package: A Very Important Chef (VIC) within the International Culinary Union (ICU) is distinguished by their extensive culinary expertise and leadership experience, meeting a set of high-level criteria and qualifications. To qualify as a VIC, candidates must have over 15 years of culinary experience, including a minimum of 5 years in a role as Executive Chef or Head Chef. Achieving this status signifies recognition of exceptional culinary skills, professional experience, and competitive success, reflecting their significant contributions to the culinary profession.

Regional Chairman: The Regional Chairman within the International Culinary Union (ICU) is a distinguished role held by an active member who oversees and promotes culinary activities within a specific geographic region. They play a pivotal role in organizing events, representing the ICU locally, and fostering culinary excellence within their designated area.

Vice President: The Vice President of the International Culinary Union (ICU) is a senior leadership position responsible for supporting the President in guiding the strategic direction of the organization. They assist in overseeing operations, implementing policies, and promoting the ICU's mission on both national and international levels.

President: The President of the International Culinary Union (ICU) is the highest-ranking official within the organization, responsible for leading its overall operations and strategic initiatives. The President represents the ICU globally, presides over meetings, and ensures the organization's goals align with its mission to advance culinary arts and education worldwide.

Judge Silver Star: A Judge Silver Star is an esteemed recognition within the ICU that signifies a chef's qualification to serve as an international judge in culinary competitions.

Judge Golden Star: A Judge Golden Star is a prestigious title awarded to chefs who have demonstrated exceptional judging skills and leadership within the culinary field.

Subscription: The arrangement by which a Member pays periodic fees to the International Culinary Union for continued access to the Services, typically on a monthly or annual basis.

Cancellation: The process by which a Member terminates their subscription or membership with the International Culinary Union, ceasing their access to the Services.

Fees: The charges levied by the International Culinary Union for the provision of the Services, including subscription fees, transaction fees, or any other applicable charges.

Membership fee: The annual fee paid by every member.

Regular member in ICU: A chef or individual who has paid their annual membership fee, achieved free membership, or has a lifetime (no expiry date) membership.

Active member: A person or chef who consistently contributes to the progress of ICU and its members.

Direct Member: A member who mentions your name in their application form.

Recommendation: An action taken by you that results in benefits.

Conditions: Tasks that chefs need to fulfill.

Membership Certificate: A legal document certifying membership in ICU.

ICU Times: The official newsletter of the International Culinary Union.

Professional E-mail Address: An email address provided by ICU using the first letter of your name and your family name, ending with @InternationalCulinaryUnion.com.

ICU Online Shop: Where branded items of ICU can be ordered.

Free advice from the lawyer of ICU*: An option available, but ICU does not accept liability if the lawyer is not based in your country or cannot provide support under local laws.

Culinary Ribbon: An honorary item demonstrating respect and gratitude.

Honorary Medal ICU: A special medal awarded to every Vice President upon achieving their targets.

Golden Honorary Medal: "The Union Makes The Power" – A special medal awarded to every President upon achieving their targets.

Honorary Statuette ICU: A special statuette awarded to every President upon achieving their targets.

Commission: The amount received by our members after completing their tasks.

ICU Credit/Coupons/Gift Card: The amount our members are allowed to use to purchase products or services provided by ICU.

ICU Cheque: A virtual amount used to pay ICU Credit to our members, redeemable for ICU services and items.

Annual Earnings:  Potential earnings possible within ICU over a year.

Profit of 20%: The profit earned from products that every Member/President organizes, adds to the ICU Shop, or produces in their area and sells.

ICU Guide: A concise book assisting ICU Members in understanding how to navigate their careers within ICU and utilize their benefits effectively.

Intellectual Property: Refers to trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and any other proprietary rights owned by the International Culinary Union relating to the Services and content provided.

Liability: The legal responsibility or obligation of the International Culinary Union to compensate or reimburse Members for damages, losses, or injuries resulting from the use of the Services, subject to the limitations outlined in the Terms and Conditions.

Privacy Policy: A document that outlines how the International Culinary Union collects, uses, and protects the personal information of Members, including data security measures and rights regarding personal data.

Termination: The action of ending or suspending a Member's access to the Services by the International Culinary Union, either voluntarily by the Member or due to violations of the Terms and Conditions.

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3. Service Description and Usage

3.1 Our Services include access to the Online Chef Office, which provides various functionalities for members to manage their profiles, access resources, and participate in community activities.

3.2 You agree to use the Services only for their intended purposes and in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.

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4. Membership Packages

4.1 By purchasing a membership package ("Membership"), you agree to the Terms and Conditions set forth herein.

4.2 We offer the following Membership packages:

• Senior Member

• Junior Member

• VIC Package

4.3 Each Membership package provides access to our platform ("Platform") and includes additional benefits specified in the package description.

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5. Membership Access and Benefits

5.1 Upon purchasing a Membership, you will receive access to all features and functionalities of the Platform as described in the Membership package.

5.2 Membership Benefits for Every Member: Every member of the International Culinary Union (ICU), including Chef Star 1, Chef Star 2, Chef Star 3, and Golden Chef, is entitled to the following benefits:

5.2.1 Online Chef Office: Access to an online platform dedicated to managing professional culinary activities, networking, and resources.

5.2.2 Professional E-mail: Receive a professional email address associated with the ICU domain, enhancing your professional image.

5.2.3 Monthly Electronic ICU Times: Regular updates and insights into the culinary world, delivered electronically each month.

5.2.4 Use of ICU Logo: Permission to use the official ICU logo on personal and professional materials, showcasing affiliation and credibility.

5.2.5 Skill Promotion: ICU will actively promote your culinary skills across various platforms and through personal endorsements, enhancing your visibility and professional reputation.

5.2.6 Free Legal Advice: Access to legal advice from the ICU's lawyer, assisting with legal matters related to your culinary career.

5.2.7 ICU Online Shop: Exclusive access to the ICU's online shop with special offers and products tailored to culinary professionals.

5.2.8 Support from Job Board Relations: Assistance and support from third-party companies related to job board relations, facilitating career opportunities and networking within the culinary industry.

5.3 Additional benefits, such as training courses (e.g., Food & Hygiene, Allergy, COSHH), networking opportunities, and discounts on events, may be included based on the Membership package purchased.

5.4 Financial Assistance: In the context of ICU membership benefits, "Financial Assistance" refers to the support provided by the International Culinary Union (ICU) to its members for participation in international competitions. ICU offers varying degrees of financial coverage based on the member's career level and competition participation:

5.4.1 50% off of competition’s Category: Members are entitled to 50% financial coverage for one international competition during their membership year.

5.4.2 75% off of competition’s Category: Chef Star 1 members are entitled to 75% financial coverage for up to two international competitions during their membership year.

5.4.3 100% off of competition’s Category: Chef Star 2, Chef Star 3, and Golden Chef members are entitled to 100% financial coverage for up to two international competitions during their membership year.

5.5 International Culinary Union (ICU) will cover the specified percentage of competition costs after the member has attended the international competition and provided pictures as proof. The financial assistance amount can be transferred either via PayPal or accumulated by assigning vouchers, coupons, or credit, as per the member's preference and ICU's policies.

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6. Career Development

6.1 Members have the opportunity to progress through various career stages:

• Chef Star 1

• Chef Star 2

• Chef Star 3

• Golden Chef

6.2 Progression through career stages may unlock additional benefits and opportunities as outlined in the Membership package description.

6.2.1 Achieving Rewards: Honorary Badge “Chef Star 1”, Honorary Certificate “Chef Star 1”, Rights to Order Professional Business Cards, Personalized Page, Rights to Order ICU Culinary Ribbon, Rewards up to 2350 €

6.2.2 To qualify for the following rewards:

• Honorary badge “Chef Star 1”

• Honorary Certificate “Chef Star 1”

• Rights to order Professional business cards

• Personalized Page

• Rights to order ICU culinary Ribbon

• Rewards up to 1175 €

6.2.3 You must hold a career progress title of at least Chef Star 1 and have mentored at least 5 chefs within the International Culinary Union (ICU) as a regular member.). These rewards are designed to recognize and support your advancement within the culinary industry, providing tangible benefits to enhance your professional profile and achievements.

 

6.3 Eligibility for Receiving International Targeted Job Opportunities: To receive international targeted job opportunities through the International Culinary Union (ICU), your career level within ICU must be at least one of the following: Chef Star 2, Chef Star 3 and Golden Chef

 

6.4 Achieving Rewards: Honorary Badge “Chef Star 2”, Honorary Certificate “Chef Star 2”, Rights to Order Professional Business Cards, Personalized Page, Rights to Order ICU Culinary Ribbon, Rights to be Hired as a Regional Chairman, Certificate for a Regional Chairman, Rewards up to 4700€ per Year

 

6.4.1 To qualify for the following rewards:

• Honorary badge “Chef Star 2”

• Honorary Certificate “Chef Star 2”

• Rights to order Professional business cards

• Personalized Page

• Rights to order ICU culinary Ribbon

• Rights to be hired as a Regional Chairman

• Certificate for a Regional Chairman

• Rewards up to 4700€ per year

6.4.2 You must hold a career progress title of at least Chef Star 2 and have mentored at least 11 chefs within the International Culinary Union (ICU) as a regular member. These rewards are designed to recognize and support your advanced achievements and contributions to the culinary industry, providing significant benefits to enhance your professional profile and career opportunities.

 

6.5 Achieving Rewards: Honorary Badge “Chef Star 3”, Honorary Certificate “Chef Star 3”, Rights to Order Professional Business Cards, Personalized Page, Rights to Order ICU Culinary Ribbon, Rights to be Hired as a Vice President, Certificate for a Vice President, Honorary Medal “ICU”, Rights to Publish Own Recipes and Profile in the Professional Culinary Book of ICU, Rewards up to 13250€ per Year

6.5.1 To qualify for the following rewards:

• Honorary badge “Chef Star 3”

• Honorary Certificate “Chef Star 3”

• Rights to order Professional business cards

• Personalized Page

• Rights to order ICU culinary Ribbon

• Rights to be hired as a Vice President

• Certificate for a Vice President

• Honorary Medal “ICU”

• Rights to publish own recipes and profile in the professional culinary book of ICU

• Rewards up to 13250€ per year

6.5.2 You must hold a career progress title of at least Chef Star 3 and have mentored at least 21 chefs within the International Culinary Union (ICU) as a regular member. These rewards are designed to honor and support your exceptional achievements and contributions to the culinary industry, providing substantial benefits to enhance your professional standing and career opportunities.

 

6.6 Achieving Golden Chef Title: Upon achieving the Golden Chef title, the following benefits apply:

6.6.1 Your annual membership fee becomes free for life.

6.6.2 You are no longer required to pay for membership fees annually.

 

6.7 Cover of Hotel and Travel Expenses for Golden Chefs: As a Golden Chef within the International Culinary Union (ICU), you are entitled to the following benefits:

6.7.1 ICU covers hotel and travel expenses once per year when participating in international competitions.

6.7.2 The competition must take place on the same continent from which the chef is departing.

6.7.3 You must inform ICU about your participation at least 2 months in advance.

 

6.8 Achieving Rewards: Honorary Badge “Golden Chef”, Honorary Certificate “Golden Chef”, Rights to Order Professional Business Cards, Personalized Page, Rights to Order ICU Culinary Ribbon, Rights to be Hired as a President, Certificate for a President, Golden Honorary Medal “The Union Makes The Power”, Rights to Publish Own Recipes and Profile in the Professional Culinary Book of ICU, Honorary Statuette “ICU”, Rights to be a Part of the Management Board, Unlimited Financial Rewards

6.8.1 To qualify for the following rewards:

• Honorary badge “Golden Chef”

• Honorary Certificate “Golden Chef”

• Rights to order Professional business cards

• Personalized Page

• Rights to order ICU culinary Ribbon

• Rights to be hired as a President

• Certificate for a President

• Golden Honorary Medal “The Union Makes The Power”

• Rights to publish own recipes and profile in the professional culinary book of ICU

• Honorary Statuette “ICU”

• Rights to be a part of the Management Board

• Unlimited financial rewards

6.8.2 You must hold a career progress title of at least Golden Chef and have mentored at least 51 chefs within the International Culinary Union (ICU) as a regular member. These rewards are designed to honor your exemplary achievements and contributions to the culinary industry, providing unparalleled benefits to elevate your professional standing and career opportunities to the highest level.

 

6.9 Achieving the title Very Important Chef: To qualify for the VIC Package, aspiring chefs must meet rigorous criteria established by the International Culinary Union (ICU). Achieving the title of Very Important Chef entails fulfilling the following requirements:

6.9.1 Candidates must provide two references from a Manager or Owner of a hospitality business. These references should be submitted in a separate file along with the application.

6.9.2 Additionally, candidates are required to submit three different types of culinary certificates. These certificates must be included in a separate file along with the application.

6.9.3 Candidates must also provide proof of participation in 2 to 4 culinary competitions. Evidence of these participations should be submitted in a separate file along with the application. Examples of acceptable proofs include:

• Two GOLD Medals and their related certificates.

• Two SILVER Medals and one BRONZE Medal, along with their related certificates.

• One SILVER Medal and three BRONZE Medals, along with their related certificates.

• Participation in the Bocuse d’Or Grand Finale with a minimum of 5th place, including relevant information. Achieving this qualification provides a 25% discount on the VIC Package fee.

6.9.4 Upon meeting these qualifications, candidates must pay the required fee for the VIC Package. This is a one-time, lifetime payment, ensuring that no further fees are necessary to maintain VIC status.

 

7. To attain leadership roles within the International Culinary Union (ICU), specific conditions and rewards are outlined:

 

7.1 To become Regional Chairman:

7.1.1 Conditions:

• Active membership in ICU

7.1.2 Rewards:

• New title in your email for Regional Chairman of ICU

• Certificate for “Regional Chairman of ICU”

• 20% Discount on ICU Culinary Ribbon (1 piece)

• 20% Discount on ICU Regional Chairman chef jacket (up to 2 pieces)

• Free business cards for “Regional Chairman of ICU” (100 pieces, if obtained together with ICU Regional Chairman chef jacket)

7.2 To become Vice President:

7.2.1 Conditions:

• Active membership in ICU

7.2.2 Rewards:

• New title in your email for Vice President of ICU

• Certificate for “Vice President of ICU”

• 50% Discount on ICU Culinary Ribbon (1 piece)

• 50% Discount on ICU Vice President chef jacket (up to 2 pieces)

• 50% Discount on Official International Culinary Union Flag (if obtained together with ICU Vice President chef jacket)

• Free business cards for “Vice President of ICU” (100 pieces, if obtained together with ICU Vice President chef jacket)

7.3 To become President:

7.3.1 Conditions:

• Active membership in ICU

7.3.2 Rewards:

• New title in your email for President of ICU

• Certificate for “President of ICU”

• Free ICU Culinary Ribbon (1 piece)

• Free ICU President chef jacket (up to 2 pieces)

• Free Official International Culinary Union Flag

• Free business cards for “President of ICU” (100 pieces)

• Authorization to place your name and signature on ICU Certificates related to your managing area/s

• 20% profit share from products sold in ICU Shop in your area*

These positions not only recognize leadership within ICU but also provide tangible benefits to enhance your professional standing and involvement within the culinary community.

 

8. Judge Benefits: Eligibility for Applying for ICU Judge Silver & Golden Star: To apply for ICU Judge Silver & Golden Star titles, you must hold one of the following career growth positions within the International Culinary Union (ICU): Chef Star 1, Chef Star 2, Chef Star 3 and Golden Chef

8.1 Judge Titles

8.1.1 Members interested in joining the Judge team may progress through the following titles:

• Judge Silver Star

• Judge Golden Star

8.1.2 Progression to Judge titles is subject to meeting specific criteria and may involve additional responsibilities as outlined in the Membership package description.

 

8.2 Judge Silver Star

8.2.1 Prerequisite: To qualify for the title of Judge Silver Star, you must meet the following requirements:

• Possess the Honorary Certificate “Chef Star 1”

• Complete the ICU Judge Silver Star application form

8.2.2 Benefits: Upon achieving the title of Judge Silver Star, you will receive the following benefits:

• Achievement Certificate: Certificate for International Judge Silver Star, valid for three years

• Honorary Badge: Judge Silver Star badge awarded

• Invitations: Invitations to judge competitions across Europe and worldwide

• Accommodation: Free accommodation and airport transfers during competitions

• Profile Display: Profile featured on the “Judges” section of the ICU website

• Recommendation Benefits: 15% judge recommendation benefits

• Judge CD: Comprehensive guide and resources

• Event Access: No restrictions on visiting events

8.3 Judge Golden Star

8.3.1 Prerequisite: To qualify for the title of Judge Golden Star, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have two registered members (chefs) who have been awarded the Judge Silver Star

• Complete the ICU Judge Golden Star application form

8.3.2 Benefits: Upon achieving the title of Judge Golden Star, you will receive the following benefits:

• Achievement Certificate: Certificate for International Judge Golden Star, with no expiration date

• Honorary Badge: Judge Golden Star badge awarded

• Honorary Medal: Golden Honorary Medal “The Union Makes The Power” for achievement

• Invitations: Invitations to judge competitions across Europe and worldwide

• Accommodation: Free accommodation and airport transfers during competitions

• Profile Display: Profile featured on the “International Judges” section of the ICU website

• Recommendation Benefits: 20% judge recommendation benefits

• Judge CD: Comprehensive guide and resources

• Email Upgrade: New email address (X.Judge@InternationalCulinaryUnion) with upgraded features

• Honorarium List: Inclusion in the Honorarium list of judges

• Lectures: Opportunity to lecture at official presentations and judging exams

• Event Access: No restrictions on visiting events

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9. Cancellation

9.1 You may cancel your subscription at any time by following the cancellation procedures specified in your account settings or by contacting customer support.

9.2 Upon cancellation, you will retain access to the Services until the end of your current billing period, after which access will be terminated.

 

10. Termination of Membership

10.1 ICU reserves the right to terminate the membership and delete the account of the Member if:

10.2 The member fails to renew their annual fee within one month after the membership expiration date.

10.3 The member utilizes ICU for personal gain or objectives without the knowledge or consent of ICU.

10.4 The member uses their title or presents themselves as a title-holder for personal profit, benefits, or other purposes.

10.5 The member demonstrates unprofessional conduct:

10.5.1 During ICU-listed competitions, events, and other engagements.

10.5.2 On social media platforms.

10.5.3 Through emails, phone calls (mobile or home), texts, or other communication services.

10.5.4 The member intentionally manipulates scores to unfairly influence judgments.

10.6 We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time for violations of these Terms and Conditions or for any other reason as determined by us.

 

11. Service Provision and Fees

11.1 Our Services are provided on a subscription basis. Fees for subscriptions are detailed in the pricing plan selected by the member.

11.2 Payment for Membership is due upon purchase and is non-refundable unless otherwise specified in our Refund Policy.

11.3 Memberships/Subscription fees are billed according to the chosen package plan (e.g., monthly, annually) and renew automatically unless cancelled by the Member.

11.4 Our Services are provided on a subscription basis. Fees for subscriptions are detailed in the pricing plan selected by the member.

11.5 We reserve the right to modify or discontinue the Services (or any part thereof) at any time with or without notice.

 

12. Charges
The fee will be based on the package plan [if the service require + VAT] every year from the date of this agreement.

12.1 Annual/Membership Fee Payments: Fees are due on a yearly basis.

12.2 Billing in Advance: Unless otherwise specified, Fees will be billed in advance for each month and are non-refundable.

12.3 Changes to Our Prices: We reserve the right to modify our billing rates (plans) at any time by posting these fee changes to our site. Should you continue to use the Services after these changes go into effect, you will be responsible for paying the new Subscription Fee.

12.4 Storage of Payment Details: By entering a card number, you agree that International Master Chefs LTD, and our third-party service providers, may store your payment card information. You expressly authorize us to charge you, where applicable:

• Subscription Fees, to be billed during a Subscription Period

• Other fees for Services purchased, including but not limited to Service Fees

• Taxes connected with your use of the Services

 

12.5 Our Collection Costs: You agree to reimburse us, where applicable, for all collection costs and interest for any overdue amounts. If the payment card you provide expires and you do not update your payment card information or cancel your Subscription, you authorize us to suspend your Account on our Platform and agree that we will be released from any outstanding contractual obligations until your Fees balance has been paid. If any form of Dispute is created overpayment, you agree that an additional administration fee of €150.00 is due and payable with immediate effect. This fee is due to staffing costs associated with handling disputes and would be in addition to all collection costs, interest, and any overdue amounts.

12.6 Personal Guarantee: You agree to personally guarantee all outstanding payments. You agree that you shall unconditionally pay, on demand, should the International Master Chefs LTD demand it from you in writing. This payment would be expected within seven (7) days. You agree that in this circumstance, you would personally owe International Master Chefs LTD an amount equal to all of the amounts payable.

12.7 Cancellation by International Master Chefs LTD: International Master Chefs LTD reserves the right to terminate this Agreement at any time, for any reason, at our sole discretion, without liability. A reason for such termination may include, but is not limited to, failure to comply with these Terms. International Master Chefs LTD reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Platform and/or Services, or any portion thereof, at any time and for any reason, with or without notice.

12.8 Refunds: Due to the nature of the services provided, all Fees are non-refundable under any circumstance.

12.9 Partial Refunds: You agree that you will not be refunded or credited for partial months of service.

12.10 Service Pause or Cancellation Initiated by International Master Chefs LTD: We reserve the right to temporarily or indefinitely pause our services at our sole discretion, should we observe behavior from the client that we deem unusual or suspicious. Such behaviors include, but are not limited to, actions that lead us to believe the client may initiate a Dispute, or evidence suggesting that the client is not adequately servicing the leads provided by us. This clause is in place to safeguard the integrity of our services, manage our risk, and protect the interests of both parties.

 

13. Withdrawing & Payment

13.1 Requests for withdrawing your financial rewards will be processed exclusively through PayPal. All commissions and rewards are disbursed solely via PayPal.

13.2 When requesting a withdrawal, the International Culinary Union will apply the following charges:

13.2.1 A service charge of 8.9% on the gross amount will be deducted to cover transfer, administrative, and other associated costs.

13.2.2 The withdrawn amount will be transferred within 14 (fourteen) business days from the date of the request. The minimum withdrawal amount must be €25.

13.2.3 Payments made through your online portal using coupons, cheques, or other internal payment methods for services or products will be processed at 100% of the amount.

 

14. Member Obligations

14.1 You must provide accurate and complete information when registering for our Services.

14.2 You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account and password, and for restricting access to your account.

14.3 You agree to comply with all applicable laws and regulations when using our Services.

 

15. Your Profile Information and Account

15.1 How you access our services: Your User ID is the only way to log in and access your Account. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your User ID and agree to provide true, accurate, current, and complete information about yourself or the entity you represent. You are solely responsible for all activities that occur within your Account on our Platform. If you become aware of any unauthorized use of your Account or Profile Information, you must notify International Culinary Union CIC immediately. It is your responsibility to update or change any Account or Profile Information as needed or desired.

15.2 Billing Information: Billing information may only be provided by the card owner. International Culinary Union CIC disclaims all liability where the ownership of the card or bank accounts is disputed and will not participate or play any role in such disputes. International Culinary Union CIC will automatically charge the card on file; should the billing information be changed, the new credit card will be charged. International Culinary Union CIC will automatically charge the card(s) on file in accordance with our Client Services Agreement and these Terms and Conditions.

 

16. Liability

16.1 We strive to provide accurate and reliable Services, but we do not warrant that the Services will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure.

16.2 You agree that your use of the Services is at your own risk, and we shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of your use of or inability to use the Services.

16.3 Exclusions of Liability: Subject to the provisions of Clause 6.4, International Culinary Union will not be liable for any: Direct, indirect, or consequential loss of profits, sales, business, or data; Loss of or damage to goodwill, reputation, or opportunity; Liabilities to third parties, including Employees; Loss of use or value of data or software; Any other indirect or consequential losses.

16.4 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall limit or exclude liability for any liabilities which cannot be lawfully excluded or limited.

16.5 Third Parties: You acknowledge and agree that International Culinary Union CIC is not responsible or liable for any third-party content linked to from the Platform or Services. This includes but is not limited to accuracy, integrity, quality, usefulness, legality, safety, and intellectual property rights. The inclusion of such linked content in no way indicates endorsement by, or association with, International Culinary Union CIC.

16.6 Clarification on Liability: International Culinary Union CIC makes no representations or warranties about the suitability, reliability, availability, timeliness, security, or accuracy of the site, services, or data made available from the services. Your use of the site or services, and all content, material, and third-party software and content are at your sole responsibility and risk. The site and services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. International Culinary Union CIC disclaims any warranty that the site, the services, or any content, including, without limitation, any third-party software and content, will meet your requirements or be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free, that defects will be corrected. You agree that from time to time International Culinary Union CIC may remove the site or cease providing the services for indefinite periods of time without prior notice or notification. Your access to and use of the site and services may be interrupted or suspended from time to time for any reason, including, but not limited to, equipment malfunctions, periodic updating, maintenance or repair of the site or services, or other actions that International Culinary Union CIC in its sole discretion, may elect to take. You acknowledge and agree that you are not entitled to damages or any other form of compensation or relief when outages, delays, downtime, malfunctions, security or system breaches, or other interruptions of service occur.
International Culinary Union CIC makes no guarantee regarding:
(a) the number of visitors, views, or staff on any of your posts, or
(b) the compatibility of any software, hardware, or content with the site or services.
You are not entitled to compensation, refunds, credits, damages, or any form of relief should the site or services not meet your expectations. You are solely responsible for ensuring that your content is compatible with the site and/or services. International Culinary Union CIC disclaims any liability or responsibility for any unauthorized use of your content by third parties or other users of the site or services and is not responsible for protecting your content. International Culinary Union CIC is not responsible for the acts, omissions, or failures of any third-party content, service, network, or software or hardware provider, including but not limited to internet service providers, hosting services used by International Culinary Union CIC, telecommunications providers, content provided by other users, or any software or hardware not provided by International Culinary Union CIC. Any material downloaded or otherwise obtained through the use of the site or services is done at your own discretion and risk. You agree that you, solely, are responsible for any damage to your computer system or other device, and/or for any loss of data that may result from the download of any such material. No advice or information, whether communicated orally or in writing, from International Culinary Union CIC employees, or via the site or services, shall create any warranty not expressly stated in this agreement. The site and services are offered and controlled by International Culinary Union CIC from its facilities in the United Kingdom. International Culinary Union CIC makes no representations that the site or services are appropriate or available for use in other locations. Those who access or use the site or services from other jurisdictions do so at their own risk and are responsible for compliance with local law. You agree that neither International Culinary Union CIC nor its owners, officers, directors, affiliates, contractors, licensors, employees, or agents, will be held liable to you or any third party acting on your behalf for any tangible or intangible damages or losses arising from or relating to this agreement, your use of or inability to use the site or services, or your use of third-party materials, content, or services. International Culinary Union CIC will not be held responsible for any damages, liabilities, losses, or other consequences that you may incur in the event that the site and/or services are modified, suspended, or discontinued. In no event shall International Culinary Union CIC and its affiliates’, representatives’, officers’, directors’, stockholders’, employees’, or agents’ aggregate liability for all claims, whether in contract, tort, or any other theory of liability, exceed the cost of customer’s subscription.

 

17. General Provisions

17.1 Assignment and Subcontracting: These Terms and Conditions are personal to you, and you will not assign, transfer, or subcontract any of your rights or obligations without International Culinary Union CIC prior written consent.

17.2 Notices: Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other under these Terms and Conditions must be in writing and addressed to the other party at its trading address or such other address as may have been notified to the other party.

 

18. Information & Confidentiality

18.1 We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

18.2 You agree that any information or content you provide to us through the Services may be used and disclosed by us as described in our Privacy Policy.

18.3 Confidentiality: Any information provided by International Culinary Union CIC or concerning International Culinary Union CIC affairs shall be kept confidential by you, and all information provided by you which is designated as confidential shall be kept confidential by International Culinary Union CIC. This does not apply to documents, materials, data, or information that enter the public domain (other than where disclosure is required by law or regulatory authority).

 

19. Intellectual Property Rights

19.1 All content and materials provided as part of the Services are the property of International Culinary Union CIC or its licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws.

19.2 You may not modify, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works based on our content unless expressly authorized by us.

 

20. Law and Jurisdiction

20.1 Governing Law and Jurisdiction: These Terms and Conditions will be governed by English and Welsh law and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English and Welsh courts.

20.2 Dispute Resolution: You agree that any disputes with International Culinary Union CIC regarding this Agreement, the Platform, or the Staff Generation Service will be governed by the laws of England and Wales. International Culinary Union CIC can enforce this Agreement with equitable remedies, without needing to prove monetary damages. Claims related to these Terms must be made within 12 months from when they first arise.

20.3 These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between you and International Culinary Union CIC regarding your use of the Services and supersede any prior agreements or understandings.

 

21. Data Protection

21.1 We are committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with our Data Protection & GDPR Policy. By purchasing a Membership, you consent to the collection, use, and processing of your personal data as outlined therein.

 

22. Amendments

22.1 We reserve the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. Updated Terms and Conditions will be communicated to Members via email or through the Platform.

 

23. Contacting International Culinary Union CIC:
You may contact Culinary Union by email at Office@InternationalCulinaryUnion.com, or by mail at Culinary Union, 91 Wedderburn Road, IG11 7XF, Barking, London, United Kingdom