Privacy, Data Protection, and Service TermsEffective Date: 19 May 2026
Last Updated: 19 May 20261. Who We AreMontclair 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 operate internationally and serve clients across the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland, Monaco, the Middle East, and other jurisdictions. We act as a data controller when processing your personal information in accordance with applicable laws including:
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, EU & UK)
UK Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK Data (Use and Access) Act 2025
Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP)
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) and all other applicable US state privacy laws as enacted from time to time
EU AI Act (Regulation 2024/1689), where applicable to our use of AI-assisted tools
Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC 2006), where relevant
All other applicable global privacy, data protection, and employment regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate
Contact: info@montclairchef.com
Data Protection Officer: Chris Demaillet, chrisdemaillet@montclairchef.com2. Our CommitmentWe 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 global privacy, anti-discrimination, and fair recruitment regulations
Protecting your personal data and using it only for legitimate business purposes
We do not sell your personal data to marketers or unrelated third parties
3. Our Role as an Introduction ServiceMontclair Chef is an introduction and placement agency only. We are not the employer of any candidate introduced through our service. We do not:
Employ, contract, supervise, or direct the work of any chef placed with a client
Set wages, benefits, working hours, or working conditions
Provide insurance coverage for placed candidates
Guarantee the future performance, conduct, behavior, or suitability of any candidate after placement
The client is solely responsible for:
The final hiring decision
All employment terms, contracts, pay, benefits, and working conditions
Compliance with all applicable employment, tax, immigration, labor, and workplace laws in their jurisdiction
Workplace safety and supervision during the engagement
Any obligations arising from the employment or contracting relationship
We present, to the best of our professional judgment and based on the information available at the time of introduction, candidates whom we deem suitable for the role as described. We may, despite our best efforts, make errors in judgment, miss information, or present a candidate who later proves to be a poor fit. The final hiring decision rests entirely with the client following their own due diligence, interviews, trials, and reference checks.4. Candidate Responsibilities and Limits of Our VerificationWhile we conduct vetting on candidates including reference checks, professional background verification, and where required formal background checks, we operate within the following limits and disclaimers:
Candidates are solely responsible for the accuracy, validity, authenticity, and legal compliance of all documents, certificates, qualifications, identity papers, work authorization documents, and information they provide to us.
We perform reference and background verification to the best of our ability but we cannot guarantee the authenticity of any document, the accuracy of any statement made by a candidate or by their references, or the candidate's future conduct, performance, or suitability after placement.
We are not liable for any false, misleading, incomplete, or invalid documentation, references, or information provided by a candidate, nor for any consequences arising from such inaccuracies.
Past behavior is not a guarantee of future behavior. A candidate who passed all checks at the time of introduction may behave differently in a future household. Clients are advised to conduct their own ongoing due diligence and supervision.
Chefs are advised to carry their own professional liability insurance, personal insurance, and any other coverage appropriate to their work. Montclair Chef does not provide or guarantee any form of insurance for placed candidates.
Clients are advised to require NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) and any other appropriate contractual protections directly with the candidate where confidentiality is a concern. While we facilitate this where requested, the contracting and enforcement of any NDA is solely between client and candidate.
5. Information We CollectFrom 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 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 or newsletters)
From Clients
Name, business name, and contact details
Job descriptions, hiring requirements, and candidate feedback
Contract and invoicing details
Information about household members where relevant to the placement (see Section 5.1)
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 (analytics and marketing platforms)
Financial Information
Payment details for agency services
Transaction records
5.1 Information About Minor Family MembersWe do not knowingly collect personal data directly from individuals under 18 years old.Where clients share information about minor family members (such as dietary restrictions, allergies, schedules, or preferences) for the purpose of arranging a chef placement, such information is processed solely for that purpose under the parent or legal guardian's authority. This information is treated with the same confidentiality standards as all client data, is not used for any marketing purpose, and is retained only as long as necessary to support the placement engagement.6. 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)
7. How We Use Your DataWe 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
7.1 Use of AI-Assisted ToolsLike most modern businesses, we use AI-assisted tools to support the efficiency of our internal operations. This includes administrative tasks such as inquiry processing, scheduling, communications, and data organization.We do not use AI to select, evaluate, rank, score, or make any hiring or candidate-suitability decisions. All candidate assessment, evaluation, and selection is conducted by qualified human professionals.In line with the EU AI Act (Regulation 2024/1689) and other applicable laws:
Human oversight is maintained for any decision affecting a candidate or client.
No fully automated decisions producing legal or similarly significant effects are made about you.
You have the right to know more about our use of AI-assisted tools and to request human review where applicable. Please contact info@montclairchef.com if you wish to exercise this right.
8. Sharing Your DataWe may share your data with:
Clients you have agreed to be introduced to
Trusted service providers across categories including: analytics and marketing platforms, email communication systems, secure cloud storage, accounting software, scheduling tools, applicant tracking systems, and AI-assisted administrative platforms (used for operational efficiency only, not for candidate selection)
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.9. International Data TransfersAs a global agency operating across the US, UK, EU, Switzerland, Monaco, the Middle East, and other jurisdictions, we may transfer personal data internationally. All transfers are subject to appropriate safeguards including, where applicable, EU Standard Contractual Clauses, the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or UK Addendum, Swiss FADP transfer provisions, and reliance on adequacy decisions where available.10. Data RetentionWe 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.11. Your RightsYou may have rights under applicable 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
Request human review or further information regarding any AI-assisted process that affects you
File a complaint with your data protection authority
Email info@montclairchef.com to exercise your rights.12. Cookies & TrackingWe use essential, analytics, and marketing cookies and pixels to operate our website and improve our services. You can manage cookie settings in your browser at any time.13. Non-Discrimination StatementMontclair 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, dietary or religious requirements, or other business needs. These are set solely by the client, and Montclair Chef does not create, endorse, or enforce such preferences.14. Candidate & Client DisclaimersMontclair Chef is an introduction service only and does not employ staff.All hiring decisions, employment conditions, pay, benefits, insurance, 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, either at the time of introduction or at any time thereafter. All parties are responsible for conducting their own due diligence before entering into any employment or contractual relationship, and for ongoing supervision and management during that relationship.15. Assumption of RiskBy 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, injuries, or other issues that may arise between clients and candidates, including but not limited to issues relating to candidate conduct, performance, behavior, or document authenticity, whether arising at the time of placement or at any time afterward.16. IndemnityBy 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.17. Limitation of LiabilityLiability is limited as set out in our Terms & Conditions for Clients and Candidates. 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.For full liability provisions, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.18. Third-Party PlatformsWe 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.19. Force MajeureMontclair 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.20. Content Ownership & UseCandidates 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.21. Dispute Resolution & Governing LawThese terms, and any dispute or claim arising from or in connection with them, shall be governed by and construed under European law, with dispute resolution proceeding under the applicable European jurisdiction as set out in our Terms & Conditions.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.For full dispute resolution and governing law provisions, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.22. Entire Agreement & SeverabilityThese terms, together with our Terms & Conditions, 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.23. Data SecurityWe 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 where legally required.24. Changes to This PolicyWe periodically review and update this policy to reflect changes in our practices, services, and applicable law. We reserve the right to update this policy without prior notice. The latest version will always be posted on our website.25. Contact UsEmail: info@montclairchef.com
Data Protection Officer: chrisdemaillet@montclairchef.com