Terms & Conditions

(i) A booking is confirmed only once the deposit specified on the invoice, or where clause 3(vii) applies the full invoiced amount, has been received in cleared funds.
(ii) The deposit must be paid within 7 days of the invoice being issued. If payment is not received within this timeframe, Cookes may cancel the booking in accordance with clause 3(iv).

(i) All quotes are valid for 7 business days unless withdrawn earlier by Cookes. After this period, pricing may be subject to revision due to cost changes or service availability
(ii) Once the contract is accepted, pricing remains fixed
(iii) Adjustments may apply if:

• You request changes to the scope, quantity, or nature of the services.
• Additional services or items are added after acceptance.
• Third-party supplier costs fluctuate beyond Cookes’ control.

All adjustments will be communicated in writing before changes are confirmed.
(iv) A surcharge of 25% applies to food, beverage & equipment costs on Public Holidays, with additional staff charges as applicable.

(i) A non-refundable deposit of 10% of the total estimated event cost is required to secure your event date. The remaining balance is due 7 days prior to the event. Any post-event charges will be invoiced and are payable within 14 days.
(ii) A service fee applies to all orders and covers the administration of your booking. It applies regardless of payment method, is calculated on your order value including delivery, and is already included in the total shown on your quote and invoice.
(iii) All prices quoted are inclusive of GST.
(iv) If a payment deadline is missed, Cookes will contact you to arrange payment and allow at least two business days for payment to be made. If payment remains outstanding after that period, Cookes may cancel the booking. Where Cookes cancels for non-payment, clause 12 applies as though you had cancelled on the date notice is given.
(v) Payments may be made via EFT or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). No surcharge applies to card payments. Diners Club is not accepted.

EFT Details:
Account Name: Cookes Food Pty Ltd ATF Cookes Food Unit Trust
Bank: National Australia Bank
BSB: 083-166
Account: 812-419-827
Reference: CF [Invoice number]

(vi) Payment of the deposit, or confirmation of your order in writing, constitutes full acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
(vii) Where an event is booked at short notice, or for corporate clients, Cookes may at its discretion accept either of the following in place of a deposit:

(a) A purchase order. The purchase order must be issued by the client, quote a value not less than the estimated order value, and be received before Cookes commits any costs to your event. Where the order value increases, a revised purchase order must be issued before Cookes accepts the change.
(b) A single invoice for the full order value. The invoice is payable in full by the due date stated on it, and that date will fall no later than 7 days prior to the event unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Where either arrangement applies:

• acceptance of the purchase order by Cookes, or issue of the full invoice, confirms your booking under clause 1;
• an amount equal to 10% of the order value is treated as the deposit for the purposes of these Terms; and
• references in these Terms to payment of the deposit are taken to mean compliance with the arrangement described above.

Cookes is not obliged to offer either arrangement, and any arrangement offered applies only to the order for which it is offered.

(i) Final guest numbers must be confirmed 10 business days prior to the event.
(ii) Cookes may decline any increase in numbers after this time.
(iii) If the actual number of guests exceeds the confirmed number, Cookes will invoice the additional charges post-event.
(iv) If final numbers fall below the minimum spend specified in your quote, the minimum spend amount will still apply.

(i) Final menu selections must be confirmed 10 business days prior to the event.
(ii) Menu changes requested inside this timeframe may not be accommodated. If they are, additional charges may apply.
(iii) All menus are subject to seasonal availability. Where an item is unavailable, Cookes may substitute a suitable alternative.
(iv) For events without Cookes staff present, you are responsible for ensuring food safety. Cookes accepts no liability where food is left at unsafe temperatures or handled without staff supervision.
(v) Unless agreed in writing, all food and beverage consumed at the event must be supplied by Cookes. Cookes may refuse service of any external food or beverage.

(i) Cookes will make reasonable efforts to accommodate special dietary needs but does not guarantee availability of all requests.
(ii) All dietary requirements must be submitted no later than 10 business days prior to the event.
(iii) For seated events, a complete list including guest names and table numbers must be provided.
(iv) You must inform the Supervisor on the day of any guests with special requirements.
(v) Standard dietary requests (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, dairy-free, coeliac, nut-free) are included at no charge.
(vi) Complex or specific dietary requirements (e.g. FODMAP, fructose-free, paleo, keto, no onion/garlic/butter) will incur a surcharge of $35 per person.
(vii) While all care is taken, meals are prepared in a kitchen containing common allergens. Cookes does not guarantee allergen-free meals.
(viii) Cookes accepts no liability for reactions caused by trace allergens unless due to proven negligence.
(ix) You agree to indemnify Cookes, its employees and agents against any claims relating to dietary issues, except to the extent the claim arises from Cookes' negligence or breach of these Terms.
(x) A signed dietary disclaimer is required no later than 10 business days before the event.

(i) Cookes adheres to all Responsible Service of Alcohol requirements.
(ii) Staff will not serve alcohol to minors or intoxicated guests.
(iii) Cookes may refuse or discontinue service at its discretion.

Cookes may remove any guest, contractor, or supplier whose behaviour disrupts the event, poses a risk, or endangers staff or other guests. Cookes may also terminate the event without liability if behaviour jeopardises service or safety.

Cookes will use its best efforts to follow the agreed schedule but may adjust the schedule as needed in the interests of food and event quality, safety, or service flow.

Cookes is not liable for delays, failure to perform, or cancellation due to events beyond its control including but not limited to fire, flood, extreme weather, pandemic, acts of war, terrorism, or industrial action.

In such cases:

• Third-party non-refundable costs remain chargeable.
• The 10% deposit may be applied as credit to a postponement within 90 days, subject to availability.
• Refunds (excluding non-refundable costs) may be offered where postponement is not possible.

Cookes accepts no responsibility for loss, damage, or theft of property belonging to you, your guests, or your suppliers. Any property handled by Cookes staff is done so at your risk.

(i) To cancel your event, notify Cookes in writing. Cancellation takes effect on the date Cookes receives your notice.
(ii) The 10% deposit is non-refundable in all cases.
(iii) You remain liable for the costs Cookes has reasonably incurred or committed on your behalf up to the date of cancellation. These may include ordered stock, hired equipment, engaged staff, subcontracted services and third party bookings.
(iv) Cookes will take reasonable steps to reduce those costs where able to do so, and will provide you with a written summary of them.
(v) Your liability under (iii) will not exceed the total value of your order.
(vi) Amounts already paid will be applied against those costs. Where the costs are less than your deposit, the deposit is retained in place of them. If the costs exceed the amounts paid, the balance is payable within 14 days of the written summary being issued. If the amounts paid exceed the costs, Cookes will refund the difference within 14 days.
(vii) Cookes may cancel the event where your instructions compromise safety, operations or reputation, or in cases of misconduct, fraud or misrepresentation. In those circumstances (ii) to (vi) apply as though you had cancelled.
(viii) If Cookes cancels for any other reason, all payments including the deposit will be refunded in full.

(i) More than 7 days prior:

• You may postpone once without penalty if the new date is within 90 days.
• A maximum of two postponements are permitted.
• Third-party non-refundable costs remain payable.

(ii) Less than 7 days prior:

• The costs described in clause 12(iii) remain payable, and clauses 12(iv) to 12(vi) apply to those costs.
• Your original deposit will be applied to the revised booking.
• Pricing may be revised to current rates for the new date.

Where an outdoor component is planned, you are responsible for providing a suitable wet-weather contingency. Cookes is indemnified against all costs arising from failure to provide adequate protection.

You agree to indemnify Cookes, its directors, employees, and agents against any claims relating to personal injury, property damage, venue damage, loss, or third-party claims caused by you, your guests, suppliers, or contractors, except where caused by Cookes’ proven negligence.

(i) Cookes provides services in accordance with Australian Consumer Law. No additional warranties are provided unless required by law.
(ii) To the maximum extent permitted, Cookes’ liability is limited to:

• re-supplying the services; or
• paying the cost of having the services re-supplied.

Cookes is not liable for indirect or consequential loss.
(iii) Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, right or remedy under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded. The limitation in clause 16(ii) applies only to the extent permitted by section 64A of the Australian Consumer Law and does not apply to liability for death or personal injury.

(i) These Terms constitute the entire agreement.
(ii) No verbal agreement or representation is binding on Cookes unless confirmed in writing.
(iii) Variations must be agreed in writing.
(iv) If any clause is unenforceable, the remainder still applies.
(v) These Terms survive event completion where relevant.
(vi) These Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria. The parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that State.