Resident rules

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Resident guide & rules

Welcome to McKitchens. A few rules keep the service fair for you and for the HomeChefs cooking in your society. By completing your profile you accept these rules along with our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Ordering

  • Order from today's or tomorrow's menu before the slot cut-off shown next to each meal. Breakfast, lunch and dinner each have their own cut-off.
  • À la carte items can be ordered for any day; cakes, party platters and festive boxes need the notice period shown on the item.
  • Every dish lists its quantity (for example 150 ml dal, 3 rotis, 500 g cake). That is what you will receive.
  • Your order goes to the kitchen for acceptance. You are only charged for orders a kitchen accepts.

Payment

  • Payment is by UPI, after the kitchen accepts: the QR and UPI ID appear on your order page; scan, pay the amount shown, and enter the transaction reference with a receipt.
  • Cash on delivery is not offered yet. Tell us your preference on your profile; if enough residents and kitchens want it, we will add it.
  • Pay only to the QR shown inside the app, whether it says McKitchens or a kitchen.

Delivery and parcel collection

  • Where a society or building has parcel rules, we follow them: your parcel is handed over at the gate or building reception.
  • Check your parcel is complete at the gate itself. Count the items against your order before taking it. Once you take the parcel from the gate, it is treated as delivered in full.
  • Report a spill, a missing item or a wrong item immediately from the order page (Report a problem), ideally with a photo, so the kitchen can re-send or we can refund.
  • Parcels are never left unattended. Delivery staff will not leave a parcel at your door, with security, or anywhere else without a person receiving it or unless you request it yourself. This is a strict McKitchens rule.
  • Handing over to someone else. If you want another resident or a family member to collect, write it in the order instructions on the app: their name, address and mobile number. At handover the delivery person calls you to reconfirm delivery of the parcel.
  • No-show. If nobody collects the parcel at the gate, the order is treated as delivered and is not refundable. The kitchen or delivery person records the attempt with a photo of the gate showing your address.
  • Self-pickup, where offered, is from the neutral pickup point you choose, never from a HomeChef's home.

HomeChef privacy

  • Kitchens cook under an alias. Do not try to identify, contact or visit a HomeChef. Their name, phone and flat are never shared, and this rule is part of your Terms.
  • All communication about an order is through the app or the McKitchens WhatsApp number.

Food safety and allergies

  • Put allergies and dietary notes on your profile. They go to the kitchen with every order.
  • Eat freshly delivered food within the time the kitchen suggests. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.

Cancellations and refunds

  • Today's and tomorrow's meals can be cancelled from the order page until 4 hours before dispatch. Party, bhandara and bulk orders can be cancelled until 24 hours before the scheduled time. The cart and the order page show the exact time.
  • After the window closes, cancellation is at the kitchen's discretion. Message us on WhatsApp and we will ask.
  • Party, bhandara and bulk orders, and any order above ₹2,000, are paid in advance by UPI once the kitchen accepts.
  • Refunds go to the UPI account you paid from within 2 working days.

Being a good resident

  • Be courteous to delivery staff and gate security. Abuse towards HomeChefs, staff or other residents leads to removal from the service.
  • Reviews and messages must be honest and respectful.