Privacy, Data Protection, and Service Terms 2025
Effective Date: 1 January 2025
Last Updated: 1 June 2025
1. Who We Are
Montclair Chef (“we”, “our”, “us”) operates www.montclairchef.com, a global introduction and placement service connecting professional chefs with private households, yachts, events, and hospitality clients worldwide.
We may also collaborate with www.maisonmontclair.com and other trusted partners to provide or refer candidates for additional roles.
We act as a data controller when processing your personal information in accordance with:
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR – EU & UK)
UK Data Protection Act 2018
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) and other applicable US state privacy laws, including but not limited to the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA), and Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA)
Other applicable global privacy and data protection regulations
Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006), where relevant
Contact: info@montclairchef.com
Data Protection Officer: Montclair Chef DPO
2. Our Commitment
We are committed to:
Providing equal opportunity introductions without unlawful discrimination
Following the laws and regulations of every country in which we operate
Maintaining compliance with the MLC 2006 for maritime-related placements
Complying with applicable US federal and state laws relating to privacy, anti-discrimination, and fair recruitment practices
Protecting your personal data and using it only for legitimate business purposes
At the time of writing, we have no intention of selling your personal data to marketers or unrelated third parties
3. Information We Collect
From Candidates
Name, contact details, address
CV, work history, references, menus, food photos
Professional portfolio materials such as photographs of dishes, menus, work samples, and other creative content submitted as part of an application
Links to professional or relevant social media profiles (e.g., Instagram, LinkedIn, chef portfolio sites) that you choose to share with us
We will not access private social media accounts or private content without your permission
By providing portfolio materials, photographs, or social media links, you confirm that you have the right to share them and you grant Montclair Chef permission to present and share them with potential employers or clients for recruitment purposes
Job preferences, availability, salary expectations
Previous applications (used to send relevant job alerts/newsletters)
From Clients
Name, business name, and contact details
Job descriptions, hiring requirements, and candidate feedback
Contract and invoicing details
From All Users
IP address (anonymised where possible)
Location, browser, and device type
Pages visited and time spent on our website
Cookies and tracking pixels (Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag)
Financial Information
Payment details for agency services
Transaction records
We do not knowingly collect data from individuals under 18 years old.
4. How We Collect Data
Website forms and registrations
Email or phone communications
Job applications or postings
Cookies, tracking pixels, and analytics tools
Our Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
5. How We Use Your Data
We may use your data to:
Introduce candidates to clients for potential roles
Share candidate details with clients only with the candidate’s explicit consent
Contact candidates and clients regarding applications, roles, and opportunities
Send periodic newsletters to candidates with jobs that may be relevant based on their previous applications
Manage contracts, invoicing, and payments
Improve our services and website experience
Comply with legal, contractual, and regulatory obligations
We may use AI-assisted tools to assist in candidate pre-selection or filtering. These tools are used only to support human review and do not make final hiring or selection decisions.
6. Sharing Your Data
We may share your data with:
Clients you have agreed to be introduced to
Trusted service providers, including:
Google Analytics (analytics)
Mailchimp (email communications)
Dropbox / Google Drive (secure storage)
Kashflow (accounting)
Calendly / SetMore (scheduling)
Our ATS provider (candidate management)
www.maisonmontclair.com and other trusted partners for relevant opportunities
Legal authorities if required by law
We do not sell your personal data to marketers or unrelated third parties.
7. International Data Transfers
As a global agency, we may transfer personal data to other countries. All transfers are subject to standard contractual clauses or other lawful safeguards.
8. Data Retention
We retain data until you request deletion or as long as necessary to:
Provide our services
Fulfil contractual and legal obligations
When no longer needed, data is deleted or anonymised securely.
9. Your Rights
You may have rights under global privacy laws, including to:
Access and receive a copy of your data
Correct or update inaccurate information
Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”)
Restrict or object to certain processing
Withdraw consent for marketing
Request data portability
File a complaint with your data protection authority
Email info@montclairchef.com to exercise your rights.
10. Cookies & Tracking
We use essential, analytics, and marketing cookies/pixels.
You can manage cookie settings in your browser.
11. Background Checks & Document Validity
We may request background checks, references, and proof of qualifications, identity, and legal right to work as part of our introduction process.
Candidates are solely responsible for providing accurate, valid, and lawful documents, certificates, and information. While we may review and verify documents to the best of our ability, we cannot guarantee their authenticity and accept no liability for any false, misleading, or invalid documentation provided by candidates.
It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that all documents are genuine, current, and legally compliant in the relevant jurisdiction.
12. Non-Discrimination Statement
Montclair Chef does not unlawfully discriminate based on any legally protected status.
Candidate introductions are based on lawful, relevant criteria such as skills, experience, presentation, and client-defined requirements. Certain lawful client requests may relate to accommodation arrangements, cultural considerations, or other business needs. These are set solely by the client, and Montclair Chef does not create, endorse, or enforce such preferences.
13. Candidate & Client Disclaimers
Montclair Chef is an introduction service only and does not employ staff.
All hiring decisions, employment conditions, pay, benefits, and compliance with employment laws are the sole responsibility of the client.
Job postings and descriptions are advertisements only and may change, be suspended, or withdrawn by the client at any time without notice.
We do not guarantee that any job advertised will be available when you apply.
While we aim for accuracy, we are not responsible for any errors or outdated information in job postings or candidate profiles.
We may not respond to all applications or inquiries due to high volumes. Submission of an application or inquiry does not guarantee a response, follow-up, or placement.
We are not liable for any agreements, disputes, losses, damages, or outcomes arising between clients and candidates introduced through our service.
Montclair Chef does not warrant or guarantee the performance, conduct, qualifications, or suitability of any candidate or client. All parties are responsible for conducting their own due diligence before entering into any employment or contractual relationship.
14. Assumption of Risk
By using our services, you acknowledge and accept that all employment, contracting, or working relationships are entered into at your own risk. Montclair Chef does not guarantee outcomes and accepts no liability for any disputes, losses, damages, or other issues that may arise between clients and candidates.
15. Indemnity
By using our services, you agree to indemnify and hold Montclair Chef harmless from and against any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising out of or relating to your actions, omissions, or breach of applicable laws or these terms.
16. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Montclair Chef shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, revenue, goodwill, data, or opportunity, arising out of or related to the use of our services, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
In all cases, Montclair Chef’s total liability for any claim shall be limited to the lesser of:
The total amount paid by you to Montclair Chef for the relevant service; or
£100 GBP (or equivalent in local currency).
17. Third-Party Platforms
We may use third-party software, hosting, or service providers to facilitate our operations. Montclair Chef is not responsible for the performance, availability, or security of these external platforms, nor for any data handling outside our direct control.
18. Force Majeure
Montclair Chef shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations resulting from causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, labour disputes, internet outages, or changes in law or regulation.
19. Content Ownership & Use
Candidates retain all intellectual property rights in portfolio materials provided. By submitting such materials, candidates grant Montclair Chef a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, display, and share these materials solely for recruitment-related purposes.
20. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law
All disputes, claims, or controversies arising out of or in connection with the use of our services, these terms, or any related dealings shall be resolved exclusively by final and binding arbitration conducted in St. Peter Port, Guernsey, under the rules of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), in the English language.
These terms, and any dispute or claim (whether contractual or non-contractual) arising from or in connection with them, shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
You agree that the Royal Court of Guernsey shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any matter not subject to arbitration.
You further agree that you may bring claims against Montclair Chef only in your individual capacity, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class action, collective action, or other representative proceeding.
21. Entire Agreement & Severability
These terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Montclair Chef with respect to the subject matter herein and supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals, whether oral or written.
If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.
22. Data Security
We use secure servers, encryption, restricted access, and PCI-compliant payment processing. If a data breach occurs that is likely to risk your rights or freedoms, we will notify you within 72 hours if legally required.
23. Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to update this policy without prior notice. The latest version will always be posted on our website.
24. Contact UsEmail:info@montclairchef.com