1. Introduction
At Gourmet Academy, we are committed to ensuring your satisfaction with our culinary courses and services. This Refund Policy outlines the terms and conditions for refunds, cancellations, and course transfers. Please read this policy carefully before making a purchase.
By enrolling in our courses or purchasing our services, you agree to the terms of this Refund Policy.
2. Refund Eligibility
2.1 Online Courses
For our online culinary courses, the following refund terms apply:
- 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee: If you are not satisfied with your online course purchase, you may request a full refund within 14 days of the initial purchase date, provided you have not completed more than 20% of the course content.
- Partial Course Completion: If you have completed more than 20% but less than 50% of the course content, you may be eligible for a partial refund at our discretion.
- Course Completion: No refunds will be issued if you have completed more than 50% of the course content.
2.2 In-Person Workshops and Classes
For our in-person culinary workshops and classes, the following refund terms apply:
- Cancellation 14+ Days Before: Full refund minus a 10% administrative fee
- Cancellation 7-13 Days Before: 75% refund
- Cancellation 3-6 Days Before: 50% refund
- Cancellation 0-2 Days Before: No refund
- No-Show: No refund
2.3 Subscription-Based Services
For our subscription-based culinary services:
- Monthly Subscriptions: You may cancel your subscription at any time. No refunds will be provided for the current billing period, but no future charges will be made.
- Annual Subscriptions: If you cancel an annual subscription within the first 30 days, you are eligible for a prorated refund for the unused portion. After 30 days, no refunds will be issued for annual subscriptions.
3. Exceptions to Refund Eligibility
Refunds will not be issued in the following circumstances:
- Special promotional or discounted courses explicitly marked as non-refundable
- Digital recipe books, downloadable content, or other digital products that have been downloaded
- Course bundles or package deals where individual components have been accessed or downloaded
- Services that have been fully rendered
- Merchandise that has been used, damaged, or does not have original packaging and tags
4. Course Transfers and Deferrals
4.1 Online Courses
Online course transfers to another participant are permitted under the following conditions:
- The transfer request must be submitted in writing at least 7 days before the course start date
- A transfer fee of £25 may apply
- The new participant must meet all course prerequisites and requirements
- Course access credentials will be reset and provided to the new participant
4.2 In-Person Workshops and Classes
For in-person workshops and classes:
- You may transfer your registration to another person at no additional cost by notifying us at least 48 hours before the class
- You may request to transfer to a different date or class of equivalent value, subject to availability, with at least 7 days' notice
- A transfer fee of £25 may apply for date changes requested less than 7 days before the class
- Transfers requested less than 48 hours before the class are at our discretion and may not be accommodated
5. Refund Process and Timeframe
5.1 How to Request a Refund
To request a refund, please follow these steps:
- Contact our Customer Support team at refunds@gourmetacademy.com
- Include your full name, email address used for purchase, order number, and reason for the refund request
- For online courses, specify how much of the course you have completed
- For in-person classes, include the class date and location
5.2 Refund Processing Time
Once your refund request is approved:
- Credit card refunds typically process within 5-10 business days
- Bank transfers may take 7-14 business days
- PayPal refunds typically process within 3-5 business days
Please note that while we process refunds promptly, the timing of when the refund appears in your account depends on your payment method and financial institution.
6. Cancelled or Rescheduled Classes
6.1 Cancellation by Gourmet Academy
If we need to cancel a class or workshop due to unforeseen circumstances (instructor illness, severe weather, etc.):
- You will be offered the option to reschedule to another date or transfer to a different class of equivalent value
- If rescheduling is not possible, you will receive a full refund
- We will make every effort to notify you of cancellations at least 24 hours in advance
6.2 Rescheduled Classes
If we need to reschedule a class:
- You will be automatically enrolled in the rescheduled class
- If you cannot attend the rescheduled date, you may transfer to another class or request a full refund
- Refund requests for rescheduled classes must be made within 48 hours of receiving the rescheduling notice
7. Gift Certificates and Vouchers
- Gift certificates and vouchers are non-refundable but are transferable to another person
- Gift certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase unless otherwise stated
- Expired gift certificates may be extended for a fee of £15, subject to approval
- Gift certificates cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other promotional offers
8. Course Materials and Equipment
For courses that include physical materials or equipment:
- If you return a course for a refund, any physical materials must be returned in unused, original condition
- Shipping costs for returning materials are the responsibility of the customer
- The cost of non-returned or damaged materials will be deducted from your refund
- Specialized cooking equipment provided for in-person classes remains the property of Gourmet Academy
9. Special Circumstances
We understand that unexpected events can occur. In cases of serious illness, family emergency, or other extenuating circumstances:
- Contact our Customer Support team as soon as possible
- Provide appropriate documentation (medical certificate, etc.)
- We will work with you to find a reasonable solution, which may include rescheduling, transferring, or providing a credit for future use
- Each situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
10. Disputes and Exceptions
If you believe an exception to this policy should be made in your case:
- Submit your request in writing to management@gourmetacademy.com
- Include all relevant details and supporting documentation
- Allow up to 5 business days for review
- The decision of Gourmet Academy management will be final
11. Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to modify this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about our refund terms.
12. Contact Information
If you have any questions about our Refund Policy or need assistance with a refund request, please contact us at: