For the type of premium engagements we're offering—keynote speaking, White House dinners and luncheons, multi-day cooking schools, festivals, private yachts, sea cruises, resorts, private clubs, family offices, private estates, and destination events, our policy must protect us from the real costs of reserving dates, declining other work, and purchasing non-refundable travel. At the same time, it is fair and professional to clients.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Deposits

A 50% non-refundable retainer is required to reserve the event date. Dates are not considered confirmed until the retainer and signed agreement have been received. The retainer compensates for reserving the date, planning, preparation, and turning away other engagements.

Final Payment

The remaining balance is due 30 days before the event unless otherwise specified in the agreement.

Client Cancellation

More than 90 days before the event

Retainer is non-refundable.

31–89 days before the event

Retainer is forfeited.

Client is responsible for 75% of the contracted fee.

30 days or fewer before the event

The entire contracted fee is due and non-refundable.

At this point, travel, staffing, food planning, and other commitments have generally already been made.

Travel Expenses

Any airfare, hotel accommodations, rental vehicles, shipping, or other travel expenses that have already been purchased are non-refundable and remain the responsibility of the client. If the client requests itinerary changes after travel has been booked, any change fees or additional costs will be billed to the client. Please note that Chef Mongiello does not fly into events alone and travels with at least his wife, Executive Chef of the US Presidential Culinary Museum and possibly one Sous Chef or Tournant Chef.

Rescheduling

One complimentary reschedule may be permitted if:

Requested at least 60 days before the event.

The new date occurs within 12 months.

Chef Mongiello is available.

Otherwise, the event will be treated as a cancellation.

Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for circumstances beyond reasonable control, including:

Natural disasters, government restrictions, war, terrorism, pandemics, airline shutdowns, civil emergencies. In these situations, both parties will make reasonable efforts to reschedule rather than cancel.

White House Culinary Experiences

Because Presidential dinners, luncheons, receptions, and cooking schools require extensive historical research, menu development, recipe preparation, purchasing, and advance planning: all food purchases, specialty ingredients, rentals, staffing, shipped materials, that have already been incurred are non-refundable.

Speaking Engagements

Keynote presentations require advance customization and preparation. Time spent researching the organization, developing customized presentations, interviews, planning calls, and presentation development is included in the non-refundable retainer.

Because our programs are often booked 12–24 months in advance, we have an exclusivity provision:

Reserved dates are removed from Chef Mongiello's calendar immediately upon receipt of the retainer. Because only one engagement can be accepted for a given date, cancellation fees represent lost booking opportunities in addition to preparation already completed.

That helps clients understand the business reason behind the policy. We have been doing world shows on three continents for over 30 years and continue to hold high marks of a 4.7 to 4.9 on Google with over 6000 reviews about our excellence, behavior, and wonderful conduct. We work long and hard towards your success and tremendous profits.