Terms of Service
These Terms explain the rules for using CookSocket as a visitor, customer or Host. Please read them before creating an account, placing an order, operating a Listing, or using payment or payout services.
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1. About CookSocket
CookSocket Ltd provides a digital marketplace that helps customers discover and order from independent food businesses and Hosts. CookSocket supplies the technology used to publish Listings and menus, manage availability, place orders, communicate and, where enabled, arrange payment. CookSocket does not itself prepare the food shown in a Listing.
2. Eligibility and age
Public Listings may be browsed without an account. You must be at least 18 years old to create or use a CookSocket account, place an order, operate a Listing, or use payment or payout services. You must provide accurate information and be legally capable of entering into the relevant agreement.
3. Marketplace relationship
Listings are operated by independent Hosts. Unless stated otherwise, the Host is responsible for the food or other products and services supplied through its Listing, and the customer’s order contract is with that Host. CookSocket provides and administers the marketplace and may facilitate communications, orders and payments. The precise legal treatment of particular payment and commercial arrangements may also be described in Host onboarding, an applicable pricing plan or additional terms.
4. Host responsibilities
A Host is responsible for operating its business lawfully and for the accuracy, safety and fulfilment of what it offers through CookSocket.
- Maintain required food-business registration, hygiene arrangements, licences, permissions and insurance.
- Keep Listing, Menu, price, availability, service, certificate and contact information accurate and current.
- Provide legally required ingredient, allergen and food information and manage cross-contamination risks.
- Prepare, store, package, transport and hand over food safely.
- Manage its employees, premises, tax records, customer communications and fulfilment operations.
5. Customer responsibilities
Customers must provide accurate contact, delivery and order information, review the Listing, item, price, fulfilment and allergen information before ordering, and be available at the agreed service time. A customer must not misuse the platform, place fraudulent orders or submit information that is unlawful, misleading or harmful.
6. Orders and acceptance
An order request is subject to the availability, service settings and acceptance mode shown for the Listing. Some orders may be accepted automatically; others require Host acceptance. A submitted order may be rejected or cancelled where it cannot lawfully or operationally be fulfilled. The app will show the authoritative order status available to CookSocket.
7. Payment methods
CookSocket may facilitate online payments through Stripe. A Listing may also offer an offline or pay-later method, such as payment on delivery, collection or at the venue, where that method is enabled. Available methods depend on the Listing, service, location and current CookSocket configuration and are shown before the order is submitted.
9. Saved payment methods
Where enabled, customers may save and manage eligible payment methods using Stripe’s secure payment interfaces. CookSocket does not receive or store raw card numbers or card security codes. Availability of a saved payment method does not guarantee that a later payment will be authorised.
10. Host payouts and fees
Eligible Hosts may receive online-payment payouts through Stripe Connect and may need to complete Stripe onboarding and verification. CookSocket may charge Hosts transaction, subscription or other platform fees under the pricing plan agreed with the Host. Third-party payment-processing fees may also apply. Applicable fees must be disclosed before they become payable; current commercial plans belong in the relevant pricing, onboarding or Host agreement rather than being fixed by these general Terms.
11. Cancellations, refunds and payment issues
Cancellation and refund eligibility depends on the order status, applicable Host policy, fulfilment arrangements, payment method and any rights that cannot lawfully be excluded. Customers should raise an order issue through the available Host or CookSocket support channel. For an online payment, CookSocket may provide technical support or facilitate a payment action through Stripe where the applicable order process permits it. These Terms do not determine final responsibility for every refund, dispute or chargeback scenario.
12. Delivery, takeaway and dine-in
CookSocket does not operate a separate rider or courier network. Host delivery is arranged and fulfilled by the Host. The Host controls the services, areas, dates, times, capacity and any authoritative fees shown for its Listing. Customers must follow the collection, delivery or venue instructions for their order. Displayed times are estimates unless expressly confirmed otherwise.
13. Allergens and dietary information
Allergen, ingredient, dietary and cross-contamination information is supplied by the Host. Hosts must provide and update legally required food information. Dietary labels describe Host-supplied characteristics and are not a guarantee that an item is suitable for a medical need. Customers with an allergy or intolerance should review the information available before purchase and contact the Host when clarification is needed. A special-instruction note is not a substitute for legally required allergen information.
14. Hygiene, certificates and compliance
A Host is responsible for its registration, hygiene, certificates, licences, training, insurance and other legal obligations. CookSocket may display information supplied by a Host or received from an authoritative source, but display does not itself amount to a guarantee or independent inspection. CookSocket may request evidence, restrict a Listing or take other proportionate action where safety, trust or legal concerns arise.
15. Prices, offers and discounts
Prices, delivery charges, minimum-order conditions, offers, promotion codes, quantity prices and basket discounts are shown where supported by the applicable Listing and platform configuration. Customers should review the backend-calculated summary before submitting an order. Offers may have eligibility, date, usage or availability conditions and may be withdrawn where permitted.
16. Reviews, ratings and uploaded content
Eligible customers may submit ratings, reviews or other content based on a genuine experience. Users must not submit false, abusive, discriminatory, unlawful, infringing or privacy-invasive content. CookSocket may moderate, restrict or remove content under these Terms and the Reviews & Ratings Policy. Users remain responsible for content they submit and grant CookSocket the rights reasonably needed to store, display, format and operate that content on the service.
17. Messaging and communications
CookSocket may provide messaging between customers and Hosts for order and service communications. Users must not use messaging for harassment, fraud, unlawful marketing or other misuse. Service, order, security and account communications may be sent through the app, website, push notification or email where appropriate.
18. Account rules
You are responsible for protecting access to your account and for activity performed through it. You must not impersonate another person, create misleading accounts, interfere with the service, scrape or reverse engineer protected functionality, manipulate orders or reviews, upload false compliance information or use CookSocket unlawfully. CookSocket may restrict or suspend access where reasonably required for safety, security, legal compliance or enforcement of these Terms.
19. Service availability and changes
CookSocket aims to provide a reliable service but does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free availability. Features, Listings and payment methods may change or be temporarily unavailable for operational, security, legal or business reasons. We will not remove rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
20. Intellectual property
CookSocket Ltd owns or licenses the platform, software, design and brand materials. Hosts and users retain ownership of their original content but grant CookSocket a non-exclusive licence to host, display, resize, distribute and use it as reasonably necessary to operate and promote the marketplace. Users must have the rights required for anything they upload.
21. Responsibility and legal rights
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful, including liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, death or personal injury caused by negligence, or non-excludable consumer rights. Subject to those rights, each Host remains responsible for its food, products, premises and fulfilment. Additional Host-specific commercial obligations may be set out in terms accepted during Host onboarding.
22. Complaints and disputes
Customers should first use the available order or Host contact route for a fulfilment issue and may contact CookSocket support if the matter is not resolved. CookSocket may assist communication or investigate platform misuse, but this does not automatically make CookSocket the supplier of the Host’s food or service. Payment disputes may also be subject to the processes of the relevant payment provider or card issuer.
23. Changes and ending use
You may stop using CookSocket at any time and may request account deletion through the available account controls. CookSocket may update these Terms to reflect service, legal or operational changes and will provide appropriate notice where required. Provisions that by their nature should continue after account closure may remain effective.
24. Governing law and contact
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, subject to any mandatory rights available to a consumer in another UK jurisdiction. Questions about these Terms can be sent to support@cooksocket.com. Current company information is available on the Company information page.