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LAST UPDATED:  12/1/2022

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic Chef Devi and staff has established the following policies & procedures which will be subject to on-going review and modification as per requirements of local, state, and federal public health officials, our insurance carriers, legal team, and executive management.  These policies and procedures were established to not only comply with health official mandates, but to protect our staff, and our guests against possible COVID-19 exposure.  At no time will Chef Devi, management, or staff ever guarantee the elimination of risk to exposure to COVID-19, and use of our services constitutes your knowledge, and acceptance of these policies and procedures.  

  • What are your cleaning and sanitizing practices?
    Food safety is ALWAYS priority one! Chef Devi and any additional kitchen support contracted for your event hold management or food handler certifications from ServeSafe, NEHA, Certified Food Handlers, and/or ANSI safety training and certification examinations. Chef Devi has attended online and in-person ServeSafe Food Protection Manager training, as well as passed the written ServSafe Food Protection Manager and ServSafe Allergen Certification Examinations. In addition, we have adopted the policy of utilizing the absolute least amount of staff possible when preparing your food for you to further reduce the total number of "touchpoints" between the preparation, cooking, and service of the item(s). ​As per the US Centers for Disease Control, (CDC) statement "currently there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 through food." ​​​ All surfaces will be both cleaned & sanitized before & after the preparation of your food. With ongoing sanitizing practices being repeated during actual preparation. It is important to understand the difference between cleaning and sanitizing. Cleaning removes food or other types of soil from a surface such as a counter top, utensil, or plate. Sanitizing happens only after cleaning, and further reduces the number of pathogens on the clean surface to safe levels. To be effective, cleaning and sanitizing must be a five step process. Our cleaning & sanitizing procedure involves the following five steps: Step 1: Inspect & remove any surface food or contaminates. Step 2: Wash the surface. Step 3: Rinse the surface. Step 4: Sanitize the surface. Step 5: Allow the surface to air dry.
  • How do I prepare my home and kitchen space before you arrive?
    Yes! To add a picture follow these simple steps: Enter App Settings Click the "Manage Questions" button Click on the question you would like to attach a picture to When editing your answer, click on the picture icon and then add an image from your library
  • How are you and your staff striving to increase safety?
    All staff will be health screened by a member of our management team just prior to beginning their shift. This screening involves checking for any potential COVID-19, or any other type of illness symptoms, temperature checked & logged, along with frequent health check-ins during their shift. Chef and all contracted staff will be required to adhere to mandatory and frequent hand washing and glove changes during their shift. Use of masks and/or face coverings for all Chef Devi subcontractors, that cover both the mouth and nose will be mandatory at all times prior to entry into the venue, and until their shift ends and they have departed the venue. ​ At no time will Chef Devi or any subcontracor be permitted to have any physical contact with our guests. This includes but is not limited to handshakes, fist or elbow bumps, hugs, etc. Photo opportunities for, or with the client or their guests will be suspended for the duration of the outbreak.
  • How should I prepare my guests for our in-person dining services?
    The host(ess) of the event MUST pre-screen all their attending guests for COVID-19, any guests who have or may have exhibited any CDC disclosed potential COVID-19 symptoms, or have recently tested positive or "recovered" from COVID-19 or any related illness must be prohibited from attending the event. Should it be determined by Chef Devi that any guest in attendance of the event is presently ill, or recently has been ill, the event will immediately cease, and the client will forfeit any monies paid to Chef Devi for the event. Further, the client can and will be fully held liable for any and all potential damages to Chef Devi, or staff as a result of their negligence in guest screening. ​ Pursuant to the State of California's October 9th gathering guidance update, the host(ess) must collect names of all attendees and contact information in case contract tracing is needed later. ​ Pursuant to the State of California's Public Health October 9th gathering guidance update: ​ "When gathering, face coverings must be worn in accordance with the CDPH guidance on the use of face coverings, unless an exemption is applicable. People at gatherings may remove their face coverings briefly to eat or drink, as long as they stay at least 6 feet away from everyone outside their own household, and put their face covering back on as soon as they are done with the activity." The host(ess) must maintain full responsibility for face covering compliance, and enforcement during the entire event. Failure to comply with or enforce face coverings will result in immediate termination of your event and forfeiture of all funds paid to Chef Devi and staff.
  • Can I come into the kitchen to check how things are going?
    In order to minimize the chance of contamination, at no time will anyone not working with Chef Devi be permitted into the kitchen or food prep areas during your event. This must include the owner(s)/hosts of the venue in which we are working. It is the full and complete responsibility of the signer of the contract or designated onsite host(ess) of the event to inform the guests of this policy, and said person must enforce mandatory guest compliance at all times during the event. ​ In the event that this policy is violated, all work will immediately cease, and your event will be promptly ended. No refund of any type will be provided. Should you need something from the kitchen during your event, please request it from a member of our staff, while maintaining proper social distancing and mask usage requirements at all times, and we will be happy to facilitate it's retrieval for you.
  • Mandatory Service Conclusion Time Due to California Limited Stay at Home Order (out of state events not included):
    In response to the mandatory State of California limited stay at home order curfew set to begin on Saturday 11-21-2020, and last for a period of 30 days, we must now fully conclude all in-home private dining services no later than 8:30 pm in order to allow our staff ample time to depart your premises and return to their homes safely, in order to comply with the 10:00 pm nightly curfew start time. ​ We absolutely recognize that this hard stop time of 8:30 pm may be disruptive to you & your guests. We humbly apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause, and appreciate your flexibility in our efforts to remain able to operate our business during these incredibly challenging times. ​ Our sincerest thanks for your business, patience, flexibility, and above all understanding during these trying times.
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  • What is your Covid19 specific refund policy?
    Chef Devi will not be held liable for compliance rule changes, or your unwillingness to comply, or inflexibility to modify your event to comply with such governance. REFUNDS FOR EVENTS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 ILLNESS, GUIDELINES, FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH POSTED RULES OR PUBLIC HEALTH MANDATES OR CHANGES THERETO WILL NOT BE ISSUED.
  • Under what circumstances would my services need to be rescheduled?
    The named contract signing client will be solely responsible for researching the requirements surrounding gatherings for the specific county in which their event will be held. Changes to rules and regulations surrounding guidelines change frequently, sometimes multiple times per day. In the event that the public health authorities modify, change, or alter the guidelines surrounding gatherings in the county in which your event will be held, and you will either no longer be able to hold your gathering entirely, or you are unwilling to comply with those mandatory rules, headcount limitations, or any other type of guidelines set by public health authorities, your event will need to be rescheduled to a later date. ​ ·Pursuant to the State of California Department of Public Health order issued on October 9, 2020, gatherings of more than 3 households are prohibited. This includes everyone present, hosts and guests.
  • How many guests are allowed for a private virtual cooking class?
    We can accomodate up to 300 participants for private group and corporate cooking instruction.
  • Are the optional meal kits worth it to add-on to a cooking class?
    Pre-portioned kits are our "full-service" option for clients desiring to add a personalized and streamlined touch their cooking class experience with Chef Devi. Most people enjoy the excitment of receiving a package delivered (San Francisco Bay Area only) or shipped (natiowide) to their address of choice. In addition to exact pre-portioned incredients this adds an opportunity for clients to include thoughtful items such as appreciation cards, gift certificates and more. Meal kit costs are priced per person like our classes and vary based on the menu option(s) selected. Please note we do not ship fresh proteins/meats/seafood or milk/heavy cream products and the like.
  • Do you have virtual cooking classes for kids and teens? What about birthday parties?
    Absolutely!
  • I need your personal chef services during a business trip or family vacation. In addition to your hourly rate, what other accomodations should I be prepared to cover?"
    We would love to coordinate logtistics to ensure you and your family/friends are able to adhere to your health goals, eating habits or add to your luxury travel experiences. Chef Devi's hourly fee for traveling services start at $125 per hour (minimum may apply) in addition to: ~Round Trip airfair plus round trip luggage costs. ~Rental car or unlimited access to a vehicle and gas allowance for the duration of services. ~Payment for service staff and gratuity, if your services require it. ~Private room and bathroom on property or suitable AIRBNB or hotel accomodations nearby.
  • What service types do you offer?
    CALIFORNIA: At this time in order to comply with State of California public health mandates, no self service buffets, family style, or passed items or beverages may be provided as these items have been deemed "high touch" by public health officials. Guests must be seated and served by a certified food handler member of our staff. OTHER STATES: Local and state public health mandates will be evaluated on a case by case base based on the location services being requested.
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