Host (Member) Terms of Service

These Host (or Member) Terms of Service govern your use of the HELM Platform as a host. They supplement our Terms of Service; where they conflict on a host-specific matter, these terms control.

1. Our Role

HELM, Inc. (“HELM”) is an online marketplace that connects hosts (or members) with independent private chefs. We do not own, create, sell, control, supervise, direct, or manage chef services. Chefs are independent contractors, not employees, agents, joint venturers, or partners of HELM. When you book a chef, you enter a contract directly with the chef, not with HELM. We are not responsible for the performance, quality, safety, legality, or suitability of chef services or any third-party services.

2. Eligibility, Accounts, and Security

You must be at least 18 and able to form a binding contract to use the platform. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information, keep it updated, and maintain the security of your account credentials. You are responsible for all activity under your account and must promptly notify us of any unauthorized use.

3. Booking, Pricing, and Payments

You may request and book chef services through the platform. Pricing may include base service fees, menu or ingredient costs, travel or service charges, taxes, gratuities, and HELM fees. You authorize HELM and our payment processor to charge your selected payment method for deposits, balances, add-ons, adjustments, and applicable fees and taxes. We may place authorization holds. Payment processing is provided by third parties; HELM is not responsible for their acts or omissions.

4. Cancellations, Rescheduling, and Refunds

Cancellations, rescheduling, and refunds are governed by these terms, the applicable listing, and our policies located on the platform. We may, in our discretion, issue refunds or credits, assess fees, or decline changes. No-shows are nonrefundable. Force majeure events may permit cancellations or rescheduling, with refunds or credits determined by us. A cancellation fee schedule applies: no fee if cancelled at least seven (7) days before the event; otherwise a cancellation fee of up to 20% may apply. Our decisions under this section are final.

5. Host Responsibilities at the Event

You must provide safe, lawful, and reasonably clean premises and equipment, follow house and venue rules, and comply with all laws. You must disclose allergies, dietary restrictions, and special hazards in advance and ensure minors are supervised. If alcohol is served, you are solely responsible for compliance with applicable laws and for any service or consumption on your premises. You are responsible for damage to property, excessive cleaning, and extra costs caused by you or your guests.

6. Acceptable Use, Prohibited Conduct, and Chargebacks

You will not use the platform for any unlawful, deceptive, harassing, or harmful activity; interfere with the platform; circumvent fees; misrepresent identities or bookings; or solicit chefs to transact off-platform to avoid our fees. Fraudulent disputes or chargebacks are prohibited. We may recover amounts you owe, including by charging your payment method.

7. Reviews, Content, and Feedback

You may submit reviews, photos, and other content. You grant HELM a worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, transferable, royalty-free license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, publish, translate, distribute, and display your content for any purpose in connection with the platform. We may moderate, remove, or refuse content at our discretion. If you provide feedback or suggestions, we may use them without restriction or compensation.

8. Intellectual Property

The platform and its content, trademarks, logos, and software are owned by HELM or its licensors and are protected by law. We grant you a limited, personal, nonexclusive, nontransferable, revocable license to use the platform as permitted by these terms. All rights not expressly granted are reserved.

9. Taxes

Hosts are responsible for determining and fulfilling their tax obligations related to bookings, including income, sales, use, occupancy, or similar taxes. Where required by law, HELM may collect and remit certain taxes or provide tax-related information returns. We do not provide tax advice.

10. Disclaimers

The platform and all services accessed through it are provided “as is” and “as available.” We disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, quiet enjoyment, noninfringement, and any warranties arising out of course of dealing or usage. We do not guarantee availability, error-free operation, or that chef services will meet your expectations.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, HELM, its affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, and agents will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, punitive, or consequential damages, or loss of profits, revenue, goodwill, data, or business interruption, even if advised of the possibility. Our total aggregate liability arising out of or relating to these terms, the platform, or any booking will not exceed the fees received for an applicable booking. These limits apply to claims based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, or otherwise.

12. Indemnification

You will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless HELM, its affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against all claims, demands, disputes, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to your breach of these terms, your use of the platform, your content, your premises or event, or your interactions with chefs or guests. We may, at our option, assume control of the defense; you will cooperate and not settle without our prior written consent.

13. Dispute Resolution; Arbitration; Class Action Waiver

You and HELM agree to resolve disputes through binding individual arbitration administered by JAMS under its applicable rules. You waive the right to a jury trial and to participate in a class, collective, consolidated, or representative action. Either party may bring an individual action in small claims court if it qualifies. You may opt out of arbitration within 30 days of first accepting these terms by sending written notice to hello@itshelm.com, stating your name, account email, and a clear request to opt out. This section survives termination.

14. Governing Law and Venue

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflicts of laws rules. For any matter not subject to arbitration or that may be brought in court, the exclusive venue will be the state or federal courts located in Delaware, and you consent to their personal jurisdiction.

15. Suspension and Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account or access to the platform at any time, with or without notice, for any reason or no reason. Termination does not affect rights and obligations that have accrued, including payment obligations. We may cancel or refuse bookings if we believe it necessary to protect users, comply with law, or for policy violations. Provisions that by their nature should survive will survive termination.

16. Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms by posting the revised version with an updated effective date. Changes take effect on the posted effective date. Your continued use of the platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.

17. Copyright Complaints (DMCA)

If you believe content infringes your copyright, send a notice to hello@itshelm.com with: your contact information; a description of the copyrighted work; the allegedly infringing material and its location; a statement of good-faith belief that use is not authorized; a statement under penalty of perjury that your notice is accurate and you are authorized to act; and your electronic or physical signature. We will remove or disable access to material as appropriate and may terminate repeat infringers.

18. Privacy and Communications

Our collection and use of personal information is described in our Privacy Policy. By using the platform, you consent to receive transactional emails, SMS, and push notifications about your account and bookings. With your consent, we may send marketing messages; you may opt out of marketing emails via unsubscribe links and SMS by replying STOP, but you will still receive transactional messages.

19. Contact

Questions or notices may be sent to hello@itshelm.com.