Terms of Service

Last updated: August 2026

1. About Kotimaku

Kotimaku is an online marketplace that connects customers with independent home cooks ("Kitchens"). By using this website you agree to these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the service.

Kotimaku helps connect food sellers and customers — it does not prepare, own, or sell food itself. Each Kitchen remains responsible for the legality, safety, accuracy and hygiene of its own food business.

2. Placing an Order

When you place an order you enter a contract directly with the Kitchen, not with Kotimaku. Kotimaku facilitates the transaction and payment but is not a party to the sale of food. All orders are subject to acceptance by the Kitchen.

Prices are set by each Kitchen and include VAT and all applicable fees. The price shown is the final price you pay — nothing is added at checkout.

3. Allergens & Dietary Information

Allergen information is provided by Kitchens and is intended as a guide only. Kotimaku cannot guarantee that dishes are free from any allergen. If you have a severe allergy, contact the Kitchen directly before ordering.

Kitchens are responsible for keeping menu names, ingredients and allergen information accurate and current, including allergens contained in sauces, spice mixes, stocks or other compound ingredients, and for updating a listing before selling a dish whose recipe or supplier has changed.

4. Cancellations & Refunds

Orders may not be cancelled once a Kitchen has accepted and started preparing them. If you have a problem with your order — wrong items, missing items, or food quality concerns — contact us within 24 hours of delivery and we will work with the Kitchen to make it right.

5. Kitchen Accounts & Food-Business Compliance

Cook accounts (Kitchens) require registration and approval before a kitchen can list food or receive orders. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials secure.

Operating a Kitchen on Kotimaku is operating a food business under Finnish law. Selling homemade food regularly through an online marketplace, including from home, generally requires notifying your municipal food control authority, and may also require a Business ID, a Hygiene Passport for anyone handling unpackaged perishable food, and an own-check (omavalvonta) food-safety plan covering preparation, hygiene, temperature control, allergens, packaging, delivery and traceability. It is your responsibility to confirm which requirements apply to your activity and to complete them before selling.

Kotimaku may ask you to provide supporting information before activating or continuing to list a Kitchen — for example a Business ID, evidence of food-business notification or registration, Hygiene Passport information, and identity or payout verification — and may restrict or suspend a listing that appears incomplete, inaccurate, unsafe or non-compliant. Kotimaku's review of a Kitchen and its documents is not a substitute for, and does not guarantee, registration, inspection or approval by your municipal food control authority or any other competent authority. Kitchens remain solely responsible for meeting all legal requirements that apply to their food business, both before their first sale and on an ongoing basis afterwards.

Kotimaku reserves the right to suspend or remove accounts that violate these terms.

6. Prohibited Use

You agree not to misuse the platform — including attempting to circumvent payments, submitting false reviews, listing or selling food you are not legally permitted to sell, or using the service in any way that is unlawful or harmful to other users.

7. Limitation of Liability

Kotimaku acts as an intermediary and is not liable for the quality, safety, or legality of food prepared by Kitchens. To the extent permitted by law, our liability to you is limited to the value of the order in question.

8. Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Continued use of Kotimaku after changes are posted means you accept the revised terms.

9. Contact

Questions about these terms? Get in touch — we are happy to help.