Terms and Policies

We look forward to welcoming you to Gio Culinary Studio. Please review these policies before booking, and visit our FAQs for more information about attending a class.

Browse all policy sections (tap or click to open)

Refund policy

All class and event sales are final and non-refundable. We do not issue refunds when a guest cancels or cannot attend. With the required notice, a reservation may instead qualify for a class credit under the policy below.

A refund is available only when Gio Culinary Studio cancels a class or event and does not offer a new date. If you paid by card or another refundable payment method, you may choose a refund or class credit. For a reservation paid partly with a gift card or previously issued class credit, only the portion charged to a refundable payment method is eligible for a refund; we provide class credit for the remaining value. A class that moves to a new date is rescheduled, not canceled, and follows the reschedule policy below.

If you need to cancel

If you cannot attend a class, please submit the Class Credit Request form at least 24 hours before it begins. Your order number is in your confirmation email and under My Account. The form is required to process a credit request; a phone call or a separate email does not replace it.

Under our standard policy, we do not offer a class credit for a same-day cancellation, a request made less than 24 hours before class, or a missed class. A reservation you cancel that was paid in whole or in part with a gift card or existing class credit does not qualify for a refund, exchange, or new credit. You are welcome to send someone in your place if you cannot attend.

When the studio reschedules or cancels a class

Occasionally, weather, low registration, unforeseen circumstances, a government-mandated shutdown, or another situation may require us to reschedule or cancel a class. We will notify you at the email address and phone number provided with your reservation. Whenever possible, we aim to give at least two hours’ notice, usually more. Please keep your contact information up to date and acknowledge a change notice when you receive it.

Rescheduled classes

When we reschedule a class, it moves to a new date; it is not canceled. Your reservation transfers to that date. If the new date does not work for you, we will add a class credit equal to the value of your reservation to your Wallet. This includes reservations originally made with a gift card. Rescheduled classes are not eligible for a refund.

When a class is rescheduled because of low registration, we generally expect to hold it on the new date even if it remains below the usual minimum.

Classes canceled without a new date

If we cancel a class or event and do not offer a new date, you may request a refund of the amount charged to a refundable payment method or choose class credit. If a gift card or class credit covered part of the reservation, we will review the original payment, refund only the eligible portion, and provide class credit for the rest. A reservation paid entirely by gift card or class credit receives class credit rather than a refund.

Using class credits

Approved credits appear in your Wallet. You can check the balance through My Account and choose “Wallet-Class Credit” at checkout when booking another class.

Standard class credits expire 365 days after they are issued. They cannot be extended or refunded, and a credit that has been redeemed cannot be reissued. In unusual circumstances, we may offer a courtesy class credit after reviewing a request. Exceptions are at our discretion and are not guaranteed. Courtesy credits are valid for 30–90 days, as indicated when issued. Credits from the 2020 COVID shutdown have expired.

Gift cards and gift reservations

One gift card may be used per reservation, and gift cards cannot be combined with other offers. Gift cards purchased online must be redeemed online for an advance class reservation; they cannot be used for purchases at the studio. A gift card may be used for a private class only if it was purchased specifically for that purpose. Class seats are subject to availability. We cannot hold a seat without a completed reservation, and walk-ins are not accepted.

Gift cards are not redeemable for cash and are nonrefundable. Lost or stolen cards cannot be replaced, and a card cannot be reissued once redeemed. Gift cards expire five years after purchase and cannot be used after their expiration date.

Under the standard policy, a class reserved with a gift card is not eligible for an exchange, credit, or refund if the guest cancels or misses it. Any courtesy class credit is considered individually under the class credit policy above. If we reschedule the class and the guest cannot attend the new date, the class credit policy for studio reschedules applies.

Auction and donated gift certificates cannot be replaced, reissued, credited, or extended beyond their expiration date.

Giving a scheduled class as a gift

A gift card lets the recipient choose an available class date. If you prefer to give a reservation for a specific class, please confirm that the recipient can attend before purchasing. Select “This is a gift” before adding the class to your cart; a certificate with the event details will be generated after checkout.

The purchaser is responsible for the reservation and must submit any eligible class credit or change request. We cannot accept those requests from the gift recipient. Please place the order using your own name and email address; an order placed under another person’s identity may be voided and the associated account deleted. If the recipient does not attend, the seat is not eligible for a credit or refund.

Class menus, ingredients, and formats may change without notice. Because public classes are planned for the group, we are unable to make individual substitutions for allergies or dietary preferences or restrictions. If you need a menu designed around dietary needs, please ask about a private class.

Children and minors

Most classes and events are for guests age 21 and older. We occasionally offer Young Cooks classes for specific age groups. During these classes, no one, including accompanying adults, may purchase or consume alcohol.

Private classes and events

Reserving a date

A private event date is reserved once the required number of guests has registered or the minimum fee has been paid. Until that point, the date remains available to other groups. If another group requests it, we will notify you and allow 24 hours for your group to complete registration or pay the balance needed to meet the minimum. If the minimum is not met, we may release the date and offer alternate dates or a class credit.

Private class fees and deposits are nonrefundable, except when the studio cancels an eligible event without offering a new date.

Guest changes

If your entire group needs to change plans, please let us know at least 48 hours before the event. With that notice, you may reschedule the private event or receive a one-time credit toward a future class. If the event goes ahead but some guests cannot attend, those guests or the organizing group may receive a one-time credit when we receive the same 48-hour notice.

We cannot offer a credit for a missed event, a same-day change, or a cancellation with less than 48 hours’ notice. If a new date is reserved using the one-time credit and the group later cancels or cannot attend, no further refund or credit is available. One-time credits are not reissued.

Arrival and class timing

Unless we have arranged otherwise, we will wait for your entire group before starting. If the group arrives more than 10 minutes late, we may need to shorten the menu or hands-on portion to finish within the reserved time. The conduct policies below also apply to private events.

Memberships and subscriptions

An annual membership includes the benefits listed in its product description. It renews automatically 365 days after purchase using the original payment method. You can pause or cancel before your next renewal date. Membership fees, including renewal payments, are nonrefundable and cannot be reversed after renewal. Fees and benefits may change periodically, with or without notice.

VIP benefits may be shared with a spouse or one other person in the member’s household, but not with anyone outside that household. Gio Culinary Studio may end a membership if its terms are violated or its benefits are misused.

Alcohol policy

Bring your wine is not permitted. We offer a selection of Italian wines for purchase by the glass or bottle.

Liquor and mixed drinks are not permitted on the premises. Please enjoy any alcohol purchased at the studio responsibly. We may ask a guest to leave if intoxication disrupts a class or creates a safety concern; the reservation would not be eligible for a refund or credit.

Young Cooks events are alcohol-free for everyone, including accompanying adults. Alcohol may not be purchased or consumed during these events.

Outside food and drinks

Outside food and beverages are not permitted at the studio. This includes snacks, desserts, coffee, bottled drinks, and alcoholic beverages brought from elsewhere. The policy applies to public classes and private events. If you have a specific need, please contact us before your event to discuss it.

In-studio recordings

Classes and in-studio events are recorded on video, including audio, for safety and quality assurance. By accepting these terms at checkout, you consent to being recorded. Gio Culinary Studio may use the recordings for security, incident review, proof of service, advertising, promotion, social media, and other studio purposes.

Guest conduct and photography

We ask guests to help create a welcoming, safe environment for everyone:

Please arrive on time, silence your phone, and give the instructor your attention during demonstrations.
Conversation and questions are welcome. Please avoid talking over the instructor and raise your hand or wait for a pause when you have a question.
For everyone’s safety, please ask before going behind the chef’s table or entering the main kitchen, refrigerators, or office.
Please leave furniture and seating in place and follow the alcohol and outside food and drink policies above.

We reserve the right to ask a guest to leave for disrespectful, violent, destructive, or disruptive behavior; intoxication; excessive lateness; nonpayment; or another reason our owners or staff determine warrants removal. In that situation, the reservation is not eligible for a refund or credit, and the guest will not be permitted to return.

Guest photos and videos

Please ask our permission before taking photos or videos, and take them only in areas where we allow recording. Under this policy, photos and videos taken at the studio by a guest or any other person become the exclusive property of Gio Culinary Studio. We may use them for promotion, marketing, social media, or other studio purposes without further consent. Our release of liability below also addresses the use of event photographs.

Culinary excursions

Culinary excursions have separate terms and contracts provided before booking. The initial deposit is nonrefundable. Please refer to your signed agreement for the complete terms of your trip.

Release of liability — Gio Culinary Studio

The individual reserving an event on this site and checks the box agreeing to “terms and conditions” at the checkout process, desires to use one or more of Gio Culinary Studio facilities inclusive of rented facilities anywhere in the USA and abroad (collectively the “Facility”) and/or to participate in activities or programs (collectively the “Activities”) sponsored by or involving Gio Culinary Studio and all franchises thereof (collectively, “Gio Culinary Studio”). In consideration of Gio Culinary Studio permitting me to use the Facility and permitting me to participate in the Activities, I have agreed to execute this Release of Liability (the “Release”).

I acknowledge that using the Facility and participating in the Activities may involve certain inherent risks, including the risk of personal injury. I agree to assume all such risks, as well as any other risks involved in using the Facility, participating in the Activities, or participating in any other activity sponsored by or involving Gio Culinary Studio.

I release and discharge Gio Culinary Studio and all of its employees, agents, representatives, partner, and members, as well as all other persons or entities that may own, operate or manage each Facility, as well as any and all other persons or entities that might have any liability whatsoever to me related to the Facility, the Activities, or Gio Culinary Studio (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from and against any and all damages, actions, claims and liabilities, whether known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, suspected or unsuspected, relating to or arising from any activity, occurrence or even involving, related to, or arising out of the Facility, the Activities, or Gio Culinary Studio.

This Release is intended to release and discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims, and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims, and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. I further agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Gio Culinary Studio and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability, and expense, including costs and attorneys’ fees, incurred by Gio Culinary Studio or any of the other Released Parties as a result of my using the Facility, participating in the Activities or participating in any other activity sponsored by or involving Gio Culinary Studio.

Gio Culinary Studio reserves the right to use any photograph taken at the Facility or in connection with any Activities or other activity involving Gio Culinary Studio, including but not limited to those taken during a program, a birthday party, a group event, or other Activity, to be used in Gio Culinary Studio promotional materials, brochures and website. THIS RELEASE IS A BINDING LEGAL AGREEMENT. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY BEFORE AGREEING.