Putting On The Ritz Catering in Baltimore: Full-Service Events from 50 to 500 Guests

Putting On The Ritz Catering handles mid-to-large events across the Baltimore region, managing everything from menu design through day-of service for weddings, corporate functions, and private celebrations. The operation works with a fixed kitchen and delivery model, meaning your event stays in Baltimore proper or nearby counties rather than traveling to a distant facility. They focus on customizable plated dinners and buffet service, with pricing that scales predictably based on headcount and chosen menu tier.

What the service actually includes

Putting On The Ritz operates as a full-service caterer with in-house event coordination. You work with a single point of contact from initial consultation through delivery and breakdown. They manage kitchen prep, plating, transport, and on-site staffing for the duration of your event. The company handles bar service (cash bar or open bar), table setup, linen and centerpiece placement, and cleanup. They do not provide separate event planning, photography, or venue rental; those remain your responsibility.

Menu tiers and pricing

The caterer offers three primary menu tiers: Standard, Premium, and Chef's Select. Standard menus run approximately $35 to $45 per person for a three-course plated dinner with salad, entrée choice, and dessert. Premium menus, which feature higher-end proteins and seasonal preparations, fall in the $55 to $70 range. Chef's Select is custom-quoted but typically exceeds $70 per person and may include hors d'oeuvres stations, carving stations, or specialty dessert displays. Buffet service is available at all tiers and typically costs 10 to 15 percent less than plated equivalents. Minimum headcount is 50 guests for standard bookings; smaller events are quoted individually. Confirm current pricing directly, as menu costs shift with ingredient availability each season.

How Putting On The Ritz compares locally

In Baltimore's catering landscape, Putting On The Ritz occupies the middle-to-upper-middle market. Catering by Design operates similarly but emphasizes locally sourced ingredients and charges slightly higher ($60 to $85 per person for comparable plated service); choose Design if ingredient provenance and relationship with local farmers matter to your event. Denise's Catering targets smaller, budget-conscious events (25 to 150 guests) with pricing starting around $25 per person for buffet service. Choose Denise's for informal gatherings or significantly lower budgets. For ultra-premium affairs, Artifacts focuses on high-design plating and service for 150+ guests with pricing starting at $85 per person and often exceeding $120. Putting On The Ritz suits events where you want quality without the premium-house pricing and prefer established reliability over designer presentation.

Who this works for, and who it does not

Putting On The Ritz suits mid-sized weddings (75 to 300 guests), corporate dinners, and milestone celebrations where consistent quality and straightforward service matter more than culinary innovation. It's a solid choice if your venue has no kitchen facilities and you need the caterer to handle transport and setup independently. The company does not accommodate extremely specialized diets beyond vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free; if your guest list is heavily restricted (multiple shellfish allergies, complex kosher requirements), call ahead. Small intimate dinners under 50 people will incur a booking surcharge here; Denise's Catering handles those more economically.

What to expect on consultation and planning

Initial consultations are in-person or by phone. You discuss headcount, date, venue size, and rough event flow. The catering manager will ask about your preferred menu tier and whether you want standard options or custom entrées. They present sample menus and pricing, answer questions about service style (butler-passed cocktail hour, stationary buffet, carving station), and confirm whether your venue allows outside catering and has a loading dock or elevator for transport. A signed proposal and 50 percent deposit secures your date; the balance is typically due two weeks prior. Final headcount confirmation happens one week before the event.

Hours, location, and logistics

Putting On The Ritz operates from a commercial kitchen in the Canton area of Baltimore. They do not have a public-facing retail location or tasting room; all work happens via consultation and off-site preparation. Events are typically booked Thursday through Sunday, with weekday corporate functions available on request. Delivery and setup times depend on your venue location and event size; a 100-person dinner usually requires three hours on-site. Parking at their kitchen is limited and intended for consultations only, not guest parking. Confirm kitchen address and delivery radius (some caterers do not travel to distant counties) when you call to inquire.

Putting On The Ritz fills a consistent need in Baltimore's event scene: reliable, scalable catering for groups large enough to warrant professional service but not so specialized that they demand a designer kitchen or avant-garde presentation.