Putting on the Ritz Catering

What Putting on the Ritz Catering does

Putting on the Ritz Catering (legally registered as Ma's Kettle, a Maryland corporation) is a privately held, full-service event catering company operating in the Baltimore, Maryland and Washington D.C. metropolitan areas since approximately 1994, with operational roots tracing to founder Bobby Mitchell's mother Ma's Kettle restaurant established in 1976. The company provides catering for weddings, corporate events, bar/bat mitzvahs, social celebrations, and holiday parties, offering multiple service styles — plated, buffet, stations, tapas, hors d'oeuvres, and brunch — at per-person price points ranging from roughly $44 to $139. In addition to off-premise catering, Putting on the Ritz manages four exclusive venues: The Great Room at Historic Savage Mill (a historic 1820s textile mill with 175,000+ sq ft of event space), Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville, 1840's Plaza on Baltimore's Museum Row, and Historic Savage Mill Manor, the latter launched in 2019 to serve the microwedding and elopement segment.

The business operates a direct sales-led go-to-market motion in which field sales representatives work clients from first interaction through event completion, supported by an assigned event manager and decorator per engagement. Revenue is generated through two primary streams: event catering (per-person, one-time pricing) and venue rental bundled into catering packages, with additional bar-package and add-on revenue. The company serves three primary use-case segments — weddings, corporate events, and social events — at party sizes ranging from 25 to 1,000+ guests, with no disclosed anchor enterprise accounts.

Putting on the Ritz has accumulated a deep preferred-vendor network across entertainment, photography, bakeries, florists, hotels, wedding officiants, day-of coordinators, and beauty services, and operates a marketing footprint spanning its website/blog, Pinterest, WeddingWire, and The Knot. The company has received numerous industry recognitions including Howard Magazine Caterer of the Year (2004, 2006, 2008–2012, 2015), consecutive WeddingWire Couple's Choice Awards (2009–2016), National Association of Catering Executives Best Team Event and Best Meeting awards (2010–2011), and a Catersource First Prize buffet competition win (2004). The company remains privately owned by founder Bobby Mitchell with no disclosed institutional investment, parent company, or acquisition history.

Name

Putting on the Ritz Catering

Legal name

Ma's Kettle

Website

https://puttingontheritz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Putting on the Ritz Catering is a privately held, full-service event caterer serving the Baltimore and Washington D.C. metro area with weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations, operating four exclusive managed venues and an off-premise catering business with per-person menu pricing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Catering Services

NAICS

Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232), Food Service Contractors (722310)

akta.pro primary industry

Wedding & Reception Catering (HSACAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA), Gala, Fundraiser & Nonprofit Event Catering (THAHAKAF), Corporate Catering & Refreshment Services (HSACADAD)

Keywords

• Event catering services
• Wedding catering
• Corporate event catering
• Off-premise catering
• Venue management

Headquarters

HQ city

Laurel

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Event Catering Services: Per-person pricing for catering services at events including weddings, corporate events, bar/bat mitzvahs, and social celebrations. Pricing varies by menu selection and service style (buffet, stations, served, tapas, hors d'oeuvres, brunch).
2. Venue Rental: The company manages four unique venues and offers venue rental as part of their catering packages, including The Great Room at Historic Savage Mill and Ten Oaks Ballroom.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Putting on the Ritz is a full-service event catering company that prepares, delivers, and serves food for weddings, corporate events, bar/bat mitzvahs, holiday parties, and social celebrations across the Baltimore and Washington D.C. metro area. Each event is supported by a dedicated event manager, decorator, and experienced chefs, and clients can choose from multiple menu styles including tapas, buffet, stations, served meals, hors d'oeuvres, and brunch at per-person pricing tiers.

Product overview

Putting on the Ritz is a catering company offering full-service event catering across Baltimore, MD and Washington D.C. The portfolio consists of catering services as the core product, supported by multiple menu offerings (Tapas, Buffet, Stations, Served Meals, Hors d'Oeuvres, Brunch, and Bar Packages). The company manages four exclusive venues (The Great Room at Historic Savage Mill, Ten Oaks Ballroom, 1840's Plaza, and Historic Savage Mill Manor) and provides a preferred vendor network for transportation, lighting, linens, photography, and other event needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Catering Services Full-service event catering including menu customization, on-site event management, professional service staff, and decorator services for weddings, corporate events, bar/bat mitzvahs, holiday parties, and social celebrations. Each event is assigned an event manager, decorator, and experienced chef.
• The Great Room at Historic Savage Mill Company-managed event venue located in a historic 1820s textile mill complex along the Little Patuxent River in Savage, MD, offering 175,000+ square feet of event space for weddings, corporate events, bar/bat mitzvahs, and social celebrations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 30 years of experience serving Baltimore and Washington area weddings

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

37 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Adler EntertainmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDJ/Band entertainment partner listed on preferred vendor list for events. Contact: 410.668.5572.
• Bialek's MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDJ/Band entertainment partner listed on preferred vendor list. Contact: 301.340.6206.
• C&J Entertainment AgencyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.551.5025.
• Chris Style EventsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEntertainment partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 202.438.6699.
• Event EntertainmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDJ entertainment partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.429.4602.
• Weddings by Lee PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhotography partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 202.744.0341.
• Anaya PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhotography partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 443.834.5466.
• Roma Vista PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhotography partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 202.297.9680 / 240.460.8943.
• Eric Stocklin PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhotography partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.659.2112.
• Wedding Photography by Heather & RobminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPhotography partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.875.7772.
• FACES by BrandiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealth & beauty consultant partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 301.470.FACE (3223).
• Art of Hair-The SalonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealth & beauty partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 301.317.8080.
• Motive Weight Loss CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealth & beauty partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.698.9203.
• Cakes Plus, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBakery partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 301.490.3600.
• Oh What A Cake!minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBakery partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.381.3131.
• Angels BakeryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBakery partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: [email protected], 410.279.5227.
• Amanda's ArrangementsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlorist partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 301.384.4620.
• Flowers by Judy, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlorist partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.750.6164.
• Rainbow FloristminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlorist partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 301.725.4454.
• Fairfield Inn & SuitesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel/travel partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.694.9500.
• Sleep InnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel/travel partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.799.7794.
• Courtyard MarriottminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel/travel partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 443.848.8008.
• Weddings By SandyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWedding officiant partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 443.812.6853.
• Beverly JohnstonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDay of coordinator partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.428.6771.
• Cherie AmourminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBridal fashion partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 301.741.7451.
• Baltimore Coat CheckminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoat check service partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.472.2526.
• Kindly R.S.V.P. DesignsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGraphic design partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.935.1413.
• DLZ - Graphic DesignsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGraphic design partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 301.367.4227.
• Wedding411minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMiscellaneous vendor partner on preferred vendor list. Contact: 410.357.8825.
• 1840's PlazaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric Baltimore venue partnership - 1840's Plaza consists of historic structures in Baltimore's Museum Row including the 1840's Ballroom, 1840's City Lites, and 1840's Cabaret.
• American Visionary Art MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings. Located at Federal Hill in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Capacity up to 400 guests.
• Baltimore Museum of ArtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for intimate dinner parties to large-scale receptions including weddings, rehearsal dinners, bar/bat mitzvahs.
• Baltimore Museum of IndustryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue with waterfront location offering Alonso G. Decker Gallery (300 guests), Open-Air Pavilion (300 seated), and Liberty Room (60 guests).
• Westminster HallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue - Gothic church built in mid-1800s in Baltimore. Accommodates up to 250 guests for seated dinner.
• Ten Oaks BallroomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany-managed venue in Clarksville, MD. Upscale ballroom with crystal chandeliers, fireplace, large screens, and in-house audio. Suitable for weddings, mitzvahs, fundraisers, and corporate events.
• The Great Room at Historic Savage MillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany-managed venue at Historic Savage Mill in Savage, MD. Historic textile building from 1820 with over 175,000 square feet of event space.
• Historic Savage Mill ManorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany-managed venue - newly renovated property over 150 years old. Features outdoor patio, pergola, and inside ballroom accommodating 100 guests. Ideal for intimate nuptials, elopements, minimonies, and microweddings.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ridgewells Catering: Bethesda, MD-based full-service event caterer serving Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia weddings, corporate, and social events. Directly comparable in product mix, premium positioning, and geographic market to Putting on the Ritz.
• Occasions Caterers: Founded 1980, one of the largest off-premise caterers in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, serving weddings, corporate, and social events. Closest head-to-head competitor in the same metropolitan market with similar full-service positioning.
• Simply Elegant Catering: Maryland-based wedding and event caterer offering multiple menu styles and off-premise service. Comparable in regional wedding/corporate focus and full-service event management approach.
• Catering by Design: Washington D.C. area full-service catering company focused on weddings, corporate galas, and social events with multiple service style formats. Comparable in premium pricing, full-service model, and regional MICE/event focus.
• Atlantic Caterers: Baltimore-based full-service event caterer serving weddings, corporate functions, and social events across Maryland. Comparable in service offering, market geography, and venue partnership model.
• Carriage House Caterers: Long-standing Mid-Atlantic event caterer offering on-premise and off-premise service for weddings, corporate, and social events. Comparable in event portfolio, market positioning, and menu customization.
• Zeffert & Gold Catering & Events: Baltimore-based wedding and event caterer offering multiple service styles and off-premise catering. Comparable in menu structure, Baltimore/D.C. market focus, and wedding-led customer base.
• Linwood's Catering Services: Baltimore-area off-premise event caterer serving weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings. Directly comparable in service styles, geographic market, and event-type mix.

Broad incumbents

• Marriott Catering & Events: National hotel brand offering in-house catering for weddings, corporate events, and galas. Comparable in serving high-end event demand but operates as a broad hospitality platform rather than a dedicated caterer.

Regional players

• Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe / Catering: Baltimore-based bakery and catering service providing event food and dessert offerings. Adjacent competitor in the Baltimore event-catering market with partial product overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Pinterestpinterest.com/puttingontheritz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/putting-on-the-ritz-catering

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Putting on the Ritz Catering