Terms of Service
Last updated: May 2026
Welcome to Slow Kook. By accessing or using our mobile application or website, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, do not use the Service.
Key points: Slow Kook is a technology marketplace — we do not prepare or deliver food. You assume all risk when purchasing food from home cooks. Our maximum liability is $100 USD. Disputes are resolved by binding individual arbitration — no class actions.
1. Definitions
- Company / We / Us — Slow Kook, Gladys St, San Francisco, CA 94110
- Service — the Slow Kook mobile application, website, and all related technology
- User / You — any person who accesses or uses the Service
- Cook — a User who lists, prepares, and delivers homemade food through the platform
- Buyer — a User who orders food from a Cook through the platform
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years of age to use the Service. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that you meet this requirement. We reserve the right to terminate any account we believe belongs to a minor.
3. Nature of the Platform — Important
Slow Kook is a technology platform and marketplace only. We do not prepare, inspect, handle, store, or deliver any food. We are not a food service establishment, restaurant, caterer, or food delivery company. All food is independently prepared and delivered by Cooks who are community members, not employees or agents of Slow Kook.
By using the Service, you expressly acknowledge and agree that:
- Cooks are independent third parties, not employees or contractors of Slow Kook
- Slow Kook has no control over the quality, safety, legality, or accuracy of food listings
- Slow Kook does not inspect, certify, or guarantee any food sold through the platform
- Home-cooked food is not subject to the same commercial food safety regulations as licensed restaurants
4. Assumption of Risk
By purchasing food through Slow Kook, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with consuming food prepared by unlicensed home cooks, including but not limited to: foodborne illness, allergic reactions, cross-contamination, improper food handling, and undisclosed ingredients.
You are solely responsible for reviewing ingredient and dietary information before ordering. Slow Kook is not liable for any health consequences arising from food consumed through the platform.
5. Cook Responsibilities
By listing food on Slow Kook, each Cook represents, warrants, and agrees that:
- All food is safe for human consumption and free from contamination
- All ingredients and allergens are accurately disclosed in the listing
- Food is prepared, stored, and delivered in compliance with applicable local health and safety laws
- The Cook assumes full legal and financial responsibility for any harm caused by their food
- The Cook will indemnify and hold Slow Kook harmless from any claims arising from their food or conduct
6. User Accounts
- You must provide accurate, current, and complete information when registering
- You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
- You may not share, transfer, or sell your account to any other person
- You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account
- You must notify us immediately at support@slowkook.cloud if you suspect unauthorized access
7. Credits and Payments
- Credits are purchased through the app via Stripe's secure payment processing
- All credit purchases are final and non-refundable, except as required by applicable law
- Slow Kook reserves the right to modify credit values, pricing, or the credit system at any time
- Credits have no cash value except through the Cook cashout program, at our discretion
- We reserve the right to void credits obtained through fraud, abuse, or violation of these Terms
8. Cancellations
If a Cook cancels a confirmed order, Buyers will receive a full credit refund. If a Buyer cancels after a Cook has begun preparing the food, no refund is guaranteed. Slow Kook's determination regarding refund eligibility in disputed cancellations is final.
9. SMS Communications
By providing your phone number, you consent to receive SMS notifications from Slow Kook about order updates and nearby meal availability. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out at any time. Reply HELP for assistance.
10. Prohibited Conduct
You agree not to:
- List, sell, or distribute illegal, unsafe, adulterated, or fraudulently described food
- Misrepresent ingredients, allergens, dietary restrictions, or food origin
- Harass, threaten, stalk, or abuse any other user
- Create fake accounts, reviews, ratings, or listings
- Circumvent, disable, or interfere with the platform's security or functionality
- Use the platform to conduct any business other than personal food sharing
- Violate any applicable local, state, federal, or international law or regulation
Violation of these rules may result in immediate account termination and, where applicable, referral to law enforcement.
11. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Slow Kook, its owner, officers, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to: (a) your use of the Service; (b) food you prepare or deliver as a Cook; (c) your violation of these Terms; (d) your violation of any third-party rights; or (e) any harm caused to another user or third party through your actions on the platform.
12. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR FREE OF HARMFUL COMPONENTS. SLOW KOOK MAKES NO WARRANTY REGARDING THE QUALITY, SAFETY, ACCURACY, OR RELIABILITY OF ANY FOOD OR USER ON THE PLATFORM.
13. Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, SLOW KOOK AND ITS OWNER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR PERSONAL INJURY, ILLNESS, PROPERTY DAMAGE, LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, OR LOSS OF GOODWILL, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE OR ANY FOOD OBTAINED THROUGH THE PLATFORM.
IN NO EVENT SHALL SLOW KOOK'S TOTAL CUMULATIVE LIABILITY TO YOU EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU PAID TO SLOW KOOK IN THE SIX MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM OR (B) ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100 USD).
14. Dispute Resolution — Binding Arbitration
PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.
Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Service shall be resolved exclusively by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, rather than in court.
Class Action Waiver: You agree that any arbitration or proceeding shall be limited to the dispute between you and Slow Kook individually. You waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.
Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking emergency injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent irreparable harm.
15. Termination
We reserve the right to suspend or permanently terminate your access to the Service at any time, with or without notice, for any reason including violation of these Terms. You may also delete your account at any time through the app settings. Upon termination, all licenses granted to you immediately cease.
16. Third-Party Services
The Service integrates with third-party providers including Stripe (payments), Twilio (SMS), OpenAI (AI features), and Supabase (data storage). Your use of these services is subject to their respective terms and privacy policies. Slow Kook is not responsible for the conduct, content, or practices of any third-party service.
17. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. To the extent any dispute is not subject to arbitration, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in San Francisco County, California.
18. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms at any time. For material changes, we will provide at least 30 days' notice via email or in-app notification. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.
19. 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, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.
20. Contact Us
Questions about these Terms? Contact us at:
Slow Kook
Gladys St, San Francisco, CA 94110
support@slowkook.cloud