Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to Defedambis Culinary Academy. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website located at defedambis.media (the "Service") operated by Defedambis Culinary Academy ("us," "we," or "our").

By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of these terms, then you may not access the Service.

These Terms constitute a legal agreement between you and Defedambis Culinary Academy. Please read them carefully before using our services.

2. Description of Service

Defedambis Culinary Academy provides culinary education services, including:

• In-person cooking classes and workshops
• Online cooking courses and tutorials
• Corporate team-building cooking events
• Private cooking lessons
• Culinary consultation services
• Educational content through our website and blog
• Newsletter and promotional communications

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our services at any time without prior notice.

3. User Accounts and Registration

3.1 Account Creation

To access certain features of our Service, you may be required to create an account. When creating an account, you must provide accurate, complete, and current information.

3.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to:

• Use a strong, unique password for your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• Not share your account credentials with others
• Log out of your account when finished using the Service

3.3 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for violation of these Terms or for any other reason at our sole discretion.

4. Class Registration and Enrollment

4.1 Registration Process

To register for cooking classes, you must:

• Provide accurate personal information
• Disclose any dietary restrictions, allergies, or health conditions
• Complete payment at the time of registration
• Agree to our safety guidelines and policies

4.2 Age Requirements

Participants must be at least 13 years old to attend classes. Participants under 18 must have written parental consent and may require parental supervision depending on the class type.

4.3 Class Capacity

Class enrollment is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration confirmation will be sent via email upon successful enrollment and payment.

4.4 Waiting Lists

If a class is full, you may join a waiting list. We will contact you if space becomes available. Waiting list placement does not guarantee enrollment.

5. Payment and Pricing

5.1 Pricing

All prices are listed in Canadian dollars (CAD) and include applicable taxes unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to change without notice.

5.2 Payment Methods

We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and other payment methods as displayed during checkout. Payment is required in full at the time of registration.

5.3 Payment Processing

Payments are processed by secure third-party payment processors. We do not store your complete payment information on our servers.

5.4 Failed Payments

If payment fails or is declined, your registration may be cancelled, and your spot may be given to someone on the waiting list.

6. Cancellation and Refund Policy

6.1 Student Cancellations

Cancellation and refund policies vary by class type:

6.2 Our Cancellations

If we cancel a class due to insufficient enrollment, weather, or other circumstances beyond our control, you will receive a full refund or credit toward another class.

6.3 Refund Processing

Approved refunds will be processed within 5-10 business days to the original payment method. Processing fees are non-refundable.

6.4 No-Show Policy

Students who fail to attend their registered class without prior cancellation will not receive a refund or credit.

7. Health and Safety

7.1 Health Disclosures

You must disclose any medical conditions, allergies, or dietary restrictions that could affect your participation in cooking classes. This information helps us ensure your safety and provide appropriate accommodations.

7.2 Safety Guidelines

All participants must follow safety guidelines, including:

• Wearing closed-toe shoes (no sandals or flip-flops)
• Tying back long hair
• Following proper knife handling techniques
• Washing hands frequently
• Reporting any injuries immediately
• Following instructor guidance at all times

7.3 Assumption of Risk

Cooking classes involve inherent risks, including but not limited to cuts, burns, allergic reactions, and slips or falls. By participating, you acknowledge and assume these risks.

7.4 Insurance and Liability

We maintain appropriate insurance coverage for our facilities and operations. However, participants are encouraged to ensure they have adequate personal health insurance coverage.

8. Intellectual Property Rights

8.1 Our Content

All content on our website, including but not limited to text, images, videos, recipes, logos, and course materials, is owned by Defedambis Culinary Academy or our licensors and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

8.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use our Service for personal, non-commercial purposes only.

8.3 Restrictions

You may not:

• Copy, modify, or distribute our content without permission
• Use our content for commercial purposes
• Remove copyright or other proprietary notices
• Create derivative works based on our content
• Reverse engineer any part of our Service

8.4 Recipe Sharing

Recipes learned in classes are for personal use only. Commercial use or redistribution of our recipes requires written permission.

9. User Conduct and Prohibited Uses

9.1 Acceptable Use

You agree to use our Service only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You are responsible for your conduct while using our Service.

9.2 Prohibited Activities

You may not:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Harass, threaten, or abuse other users or staff
• Use profane, offensive, or inappropriate language
• Disrupt classes or other users' enjoyment of the Service
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Spam or send unsolicited communications
• Impersonate others or provide false information
• Record classes without permission
• Use our Service to compete with our business

9.3 Consequences of Violations

Violation of these Terms may result in immediate removal from classes, account termination, and forfeiture of all fees paid.

10. Photography and Recording

10.1 Our Photography

We may take photographs and videos during classes for marketing and promotional purposes. By attending classes, you consent to being photographed or recorded.

10.2 Use of Your Image

By participating in our classes, you grant us the right to use your likeness in photographs, videos, and other media for marketing purposes without compensation.

10.3 Participant Recording

Recording of classes by participants is not permitted without express written permission. This includes audio recording, video recording, and live streaming.

10.4 Opting Out

If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform us before class begins, and we will make reasonable efforts to exclude you from any media.

11. Limitation of Liability

11.1 Disclaimers

Our Service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not warrant that our Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components.

11.2 Limitation of Damages

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Defedambis Culinary Academy shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or other intangible losses.

11.3 Maximum Liability

Our total liability to you for any claims arising from your use of our Service shall not exceed the amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

11.4 Exceptions

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages, so some of the above limitations may not apply to you.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Defedambis Culinary Academy, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your use of our Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Any content you submit or share through our Service
• Your negligent or wrongful conduct

13. Dispute Resolution

13.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.

13.2 Jurisdiction

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of our Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario, Canada.

13.3 Informal Resolution

Before pursuing formal legal action, we encourage you to contact us directly to seek a resolution. We will work in good faith to resolve any disputes.

13.4 Time Limitation

Any claim or dispute must be brought within one (1) year of the date the claim or dispute arose, or it will be forever barred.

14. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and disclosure of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

By using our Service, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in our Privacy Policy.

15. Communications

15.1 Electronic Communications

By using our Service, you consent to receive communications from us electronically, including emails, text messages, and notifications through our website.

15.2 Newsletter and Marketing

If you subscribe to our newsletter or promotional communications, you may unsubscribe at any time by following the instructions in the communications or contacting us directly.

15.3 Notices

We may provide notices to you via email, postal mail, or postings on our website. Notices sent by email will be deemed received when sent to your last known email address.

16. Modifications to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date
• Post the revised Terms on our website
• Notify you of material changes via email or website notice

Your continued use of our Service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Terms will otherwise remain in full force and effect.

18. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure to perform our obligations under these Terms if such failure results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, government actions, pandemic conditions, or other unforeseeable events.

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other policies referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and Defedambis Culinary Academy regarding your use of our Service.

20. Contact Information

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