Frequently Asked Questions

Creating an account is simple and free! Click the "Sign Up" button on our homepage and provide your email, create a password, and verify your email address. You can also sign up using your Google or Facebook account for faster registration. Once verified, you'll be able to join competitions and connect with other food enthusiasts.

If you've forgotten your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page. Enter your email address and we'll send you a secure reset link. Follow the instructions in the email to create a new password. The reset link expires after 24 hours for security reasons. If you don't see the email, check your spam folder.

Yes! You can change your username once every 30 days. Go to your Settings and click "Edit Username." Your new username must be unique and follow our community guidelines (3-20 characters, letters, numbers, and underscores only). Your competition history and reputation will remain linked to your account regardless of username changes.

If you attempt to delete your account while participating in an active competition, you will be warned that deletion will result in immediate disqualification. Your entry fee will not be refunded and will remain in the prize pool. Your votes will be discarded from the competition results. If you still wish to proceed, your account will be scheduled for deletion after the competition ends. We recommend completing any active competitions before deleting your account.

Browse available competitions on the Public Competitions page or use filters to find events near you. Click on a competition that interests you, read the details (theme, dates, location, prize pool), and click "Request to Join." The organizer will review your request and either accept or decline (some competitions auto-accept). If the competition has an entry fee, you must complete the payment to confirm your spot — without payment, you will not be included in the competition. All sign-ups must be completed before the submission deadline.

Once you accept an invitation and complete payment, cancellations and refunds are not available. All sign-ups and payments are finalized before the competition start date. Entry fees form the prize pool once the competition begins. If a participant withdraws during an active competition, they forfeit their entry fee, their votes are discarded, and they will not be eligible for any prizes. Repeated cancellations may result in account restrictions.

Each participant scores every dish (except their own) on the competition's rating categories (e.g., Taste, Presentation, Creativity) using 1–5 stars. Scores are submitted anonymously through our app. The system calculates the average for each category and sums them to produce a total score. The highest total score wins. If two participants tie, the system compares individual category scores in order, then checks who hosted their dinner first. There is always a clear winner — no ties!

Absolutely! Any verified user can create a competition. Click "Create Competition" and choose between public or private. Set your theme, dates, location, rating categories, and entry fee (optional). For private competitions, invite friends directly. For public competitions, anyone can discover and request to join. As an organizer, you can choose whether to participate in your own competition.

If you accept an invitation but do not complete payment before the competition start date, your spot will be automatically forfeited and you will not be included in the competition. The organizer may then invite another participant to fill your place. Repeatedly accepting invitations without completing payment may result in account restrictions.

Each participant is required to host a dinner within the competition timeframe. If a participant fails to schedule or host their dinner before the deadline, they will be disqualified from the competition. Their entry fee remains in the prize pool, but they will not be eligible to win. Other participants will not need to vote on their dish, and the competition continues with the remaining entries.

All participants are expected to vote on every dinner they attend. If a participant fails to submit their votes before the voting deadline, the system will automatically assign neutral scores on their behalf to ensure fairness. Repeated failure to vote may result in account restrictions and reduced eligibility for future competitions.

Entry fees are collected when you join a competition and held securely until completion. 85% of the total entry fees go to the winner, while 15% covers platform costs. Winners receive their prize money automatically within 24 hours. All payments are processed securely through Stripe. Organizers can also choose to donate the prize pool to a registered charity instead of awarding it to the winner.

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Bank transfers are available for larger competitions. All payments are processed in your local currency, and we clearly display any conversion fees before you complete your transaction.

Prize money is automatically transferred to your original payment method within 24 hours of competition completion. Bank transfers may take 2-3 business days to appear in your account. You'll receive an email confirmation with transaction details. If you don't receive your prize within the expected timeframe, please contact our support team immediately.

Entry fees are non-refundable once payment is completed, as they are pooled together to form the competition prize. In exceptional circumstances — such as a competition being cancelled by the organizer before it starts — a full refund will be issued automatically to your original payment method within 5–7 business days. If you believe you are entitled to a refund due to unusual circumstances, please contact our support team through the Help & Support page.

First, try refreshing the page or restarting the app. Check your internet connection and ensure you're using the latest version of our app. Clear your browser cache or app cache if the problem persists. If you're still experiencing issues, contact our technical support team with details about your device, browser/app version, and the specific problem you're encountering.

Yes! Dine With Me works perfectly on mobile devices through your web browser, and we also have dedicated iOS and Android apps available for download. The mobile experience includes all features: joining competitions, scoring dishes, real-time notifications, and payment processing. Download our app from the App Store or Google Play for the best mobile experience.

Safety is our top priority. All hosts must verify their identity and agree to our Host Safety Standards, which include providing a clean cooking environment and disclosing any allergens present. Participants can report safety concerns instantly through our app using the in-competition "Report" button. We provide detailed safety guidelines to all participants before each competition, require emergency contact information, and offer 24/7 support through our Help & Support page for urgent situations.

If you feel unsafe at any time, leave immediately and contact your local emergency services. Then report the incident through the app using the "Report" button or visit our Help & Support page for contact information and additional support resources. Our support team is available 24/7 to assist with safety concerns. Your safety is more important than any competition — never hesitate to remove yourself from an uncomfortable situation.