ABOUT

Rita grew up in a large family in the Berkshires.  

Her family’s garden filled the back yard, plentiful with the different textures and colors of fresh vegetables.  There were local farmers, too, whose wonderful food would come to the family table alongside the homemade bread that was baked fresh daily.

“Farm to table” began for Rita as a childhood experience.  She learned to pick vegetables at just the right time. Rita also appreciated how fresh food needed very little to enhance its flavor and appearance.  Also, her childhood understanding of the importance of having relationships with local farmers still holds true today.

Preparing food started out as a hobby in her own kitchen.  Rita experimented with colors, tastes, textures and presentation. A lot of cooking led to a lot of food that Rita often gave to her family and friends.  They encouraged her to begin Rita Welch Catering. It was after she gained more experience at Harris Foods in Salisbury, Connecticut, and Mary Bauman Catering of Sheffield, Massachusetts, that Rita opened her doors in 1994.

That was 20 years ago.   Rita’s philosophy remains the same.  Whether it’s a dinner party of 10 or a wedding for 200, she personally shops locally to ensure that her clients get the best.  When someone places their trust in Rita Welch Catering to create a special event for them, Rita and her staff give it their all.