Refund & Cancellation Policy

1. The Booking Deposit

To secure an event date on our production schedule, Sydney’s Red Chilli Catering requires an upfront booking deposit of 25% to 30% of the total estimated invoice.

Once paid, this deposit permanently reserves our mobile kitchen personnel, portable tandoor units, charcoal grills, and thermal fleet vehicles for your specific time slot. As we deliberately turn down other potential bookings for that reserved window, all initial booking deposits are non-refundable.

2. Tiered Cancellation Schedule

If you need to cancel your catering reservation, notice must be given in writing via email to info@srccatering.com.au or via WhatsApp confirmation with your designated coordinator. The financial liability is determined by the notice window:

• More than 21 Days Prior to Event Date:
  The initial deposit is forfeited to cover administrative scheduling and date reservation costs. Any additional balance pre-payments made above the deposit amount will be refunded in full.
• Between 8 and 21 Days Prior to Event Date:
  The initial deposit is forfeited. However, the client is exempt from paying the remaining balance. Alternatively, the client may request to convert 100% of the deposit into a date-transfer credit (see Section 3).
• Within 7 Days of the Event Date:
  Cancellations made 7 calendar days or fewer before the event require 100% payment of the total invoice. By this stage, specialized Halal cuts have been purchased, marinades have begun, and staff rosters have been locked in. No refunds or date-transfer credits can be issued.

3. Postponements & Rescheduling Credit

We understand that family plans, venue changes, and unexpected events happen. We offer flexible rescheduling provisions provided sufficient notice is given:

• Notice Window: If written notice of postponement is received at least 14 calendar days before the scheduled event, 100% of your deposit can be transferred toward a new date.
• Rescheduling Validity: The new event date must fall within six (6) months of the original booking date and is strictly subject to calendar availability.
• Pricing Adjustments: If menu selections, guest counts, or meat market rates fluctuate significantly between the original and rescheduled dates, a revised proposal will be issued.

4. Guest Count Decreases & Partial Refunds

Accurate guest counts directly govern our ingredient purchases and batch sizes:

• Guest count decreases must be finalized in writing at least seven (7) business days prior to your event date.
• No refunds, credits, or fee deductions will be granted for guest decreases submitted less than 7 days prior to service, or for guests who fail to attend on the day of the event.

5. Weather Conditions for Outdoor Events

For private gardens, estates, and parks featuring our live charcoal BBQ and tandoor stations:

• Inclement weather, wind, or rain does not entitle the client to a cancellation refund.
• The client is obligated to provide an adequate waterproof marquee or covered, well-ventilated staging area (minimum 3x3 meters) for our culinary team.
• If weather forces an event indoors, our team can reconfigure menu items into hot buffet trays and commercial warmers in lieu of open-flame cooking where smoke ventilation is prohibited.

6. Service Standards & Consumer Guarantees

Our services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Australian Consumer Law).

In the improbable event of a major operational failure on our part (such as a severe dispatch failure resulting in unfulfilled service), you are entitled to a full refund or compensation under Australian law.

Subjective preferences regarding personal taste, spice tolerance, or unnotified dietary dislikes do not constitute service failures or grounds for a refund. We actively consult on spice levels prior to every booking.

7. Contacting Us for Cancellations or Inquiries

All refund, cancellation, and date-transfer requests must be submitted in writing along with your invoice or booking reference number: