Terms of Business (Chef Agency)

1. Definitions & UK Regulatory Capacity

• "Agency" means BON CHOIX LTD (Company Registration No. 13725329, registered in England and Wales), trading as Bon Choix Chefs.
• "Client" means any restaurant, hotel, gastro pub, catering operator, or hospitality establishment engaging or requesting culinary personnel.
• "Candidate / Chef" means any freelance, relief, or permanent chef introduced or supplied by the Agency.
• "Regulatory Capacity": In accordance with the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 ("The Conduct Regulations"), Bon Choix Ltd acts as an:
  • Employment Business when supplying temporary, relief, or freelance chefs engaged under contracts for services; and
  • Employment Agency when introducing permanent chefs for direct direct-hire engagement on the Client's payroll.

2. Statutory Candidate Protection (Zero Fee Guarantee)

3. Right to Work in the UK & Candidate Vetting

Prior to supplying any Candidate, Bon Choix Ltd undertakes to verify:

• UK Right to Work: Full statutory verification in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and the Immigration Act 2016 via Home Office digital share codes, biometric residence documentation, or British/Irish passport validation.
• Food Hygiene & Culinary Competence: Current Food Safety & Hygiene Certification (Level 2 Minimum, Level 3 for senior brigade leaders) and verification of culinary qualifications.
• Professional Reference Checks: Verifiable trade references from previous executive chefs, general managers, or hospitality venues.

4. Client Obligations, Food Safety Act 1990 & Workplace Safety

The Client warrants and undertakes to:

• Maintain a safe commercial kitchen compliant with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and adequate commercial employers' and public liability insurance.
• Operate an approved Food Safety Management System (HACCP) under the Food Safety Act 1990, the Food Hygiene Regulations 2006, and comply with mandatory allergen information disclosure pursuant to the Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019 ("Natasha's Law").
• Provide suitable induction, kitchen equipment, and emergency fire safety procedures on arrival.
• Ensure signed approval of weekly timesheets confirming actual service hours worked by temporary personnel.

5. Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR 1998)

All chef placements are managed in compliance with the Working Time Regulations 1998. Chefs are entitled to statutory rest breaks (minimum 20 uninterrupted minutes for shifts exceeding 6 hours), 11 consecutive hours daily rest, and 24 hours uninterrupted weekly rest.

Where a Candidate agrees to work hours exceeding an average of 48 hours per week, a valid voluntary 48-hour opt-out agreement pursuant to Regulation 5 of the WTR 1998 shall be executed.

6. Timesheets, Invoicing & Payment Terms

Relief and temporary chef assignments are invoiced weekly based on approved timesheet hours. Invoices are payable via BACS transfer within 14 calendar days from the date of invoice.

Overdue accounts shall accrue statutory interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, alongside standard statutory debt recovery compensation.

7. Direct Engagement & Transfer Fees (Regulation 10 Conduct Regulations)

In accordance with Regulation 10 of the Conduct Regulations 2003, if a Client directly engages, employs, or introduces to a third-party hospitality venue any Candidate introduced or supplied by Bon Choix Ltd within the relevant statutory period (either within 14 weeks from the start of the first assignment or 8 weeks from the end of the last assignment, whichever ends later), the Client agrees to pay the statutory Introduction Transfer Fee, or alternatively may elect to engage the Candidate on an extended period of hire upon written notice.

8. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms of Business and any disputes or claims arising out of or in connection with agency placements are governed exclusively by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, and both parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.