Introduction
Tip a Chef Ltd ("Tip a Chef", "we", "us", "our") operates tipachef.com and related services. This document explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, your rights, and the rules that govern use of our platform.
By using Tip a Chef you agree to this policy. If you are under 18, please do not use the service without a parent's permission.
Data we collect
Chefs (account holders)
- Name, email address, and profile photo
- Restaurant or venue name and location
- Bank account details (collected and stored by Stripe — we never see your raw account numbers)
- Profile content: bio, photos, story, menu items
- Usage data: page views, tip events, payout history
Supporters (tippers)
- Payment information (processed by Stripe — we never store card numbers)
- Optional: name and message left with a tip
- IP address and browser type for fraud prevention
All visitors
- Anonymised analytics (pages visited, time on site, device type)
- Cookies — see the Cookies section below
How we use it
- To operate the platform and process tips
- To verify chef identities and prevent fraud
- To send transactional emails (tip confirmations, payout notifications)
- To improve the product through anonymised analytics
- To comply with legal and regulatory obligations
We do not sell your data to third parties. We do not use your data to serve advertising.
Data retention
Chef account data is retained for the life of the account plus 2 years after deletion (for legal and tax compliance). Tip transaction records are retained for 7 years as required by financial regulations. Anonymised analytics data has no deletion schedule.
Your rights
Under GDPR and equivalent laws, you have the right to:
- Access a copy of your personal data
- Correct inaccurate data
- Delete your account and associated data
- Object to or restrict processing
- Data portability (export your data in machine-readable format)
Email privacy@tipachef.com to exercise any of these rights. We respond within 30 days.
Payments
All payments are processed by Stripe, Inc. Tip a Chef never stores or accesses your raw card or bank account numbers. By using the payment features you also agree to Stripe's Consumer Terms.
A small platform fee is deducted from each tip and shown to you before you confirm payment. 100% of the remainder goes to the chef.
Terms of service
By creating an account or using Tip a Chef you agree to these terms.
Eligibility. You must be at least 18 years old to create a chef account or send a tip.
Accurate information. You agree to provide truthful information. Impersonating a chef, venue, or other person is grounds for immediate account termination.
Our role. We are a technology platform, not an employer of chefs. We do not guarantee earnings, employment, or availability of the service.
User conduct
You agree not to:
- Use the platform for money laundering, fraud, or illegal activity
- Create fake chef profiles or fake tips
- Harass, threaten, or abuse any user
- Attempt to reverse-engineer or scrape the platform
- Upload content that is defamatory, obscene, or infringes third-party rights
We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these rules without notice.
Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Tip a Chef Ltd will not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the platform. Our total liability for any claim will not exceed the fees you paid to us in the 12 months prior to the claim.
The service is provided "as is". We make no warranty that it will be uninterrupted or error-free.
Changes to this policy
When we make material changes we will notify active users by email at least 14 days before the changes take effect. Continued use after that date constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact us
Privacy requests: privacy@tipachef.com
Legal notices: legal@tipachef.com
Tip a Chef Ltd · Registered in England & Wales