A Gateshead College student is all fired up to start her new job at one of London’s most prestigious hotels, the Ritz. Catherine Smith (pictured) landed the job after scooping two gold medals in the North East Culinary Trade Awards, creating a dish for the Ramada Encore Newcastle-Gateshead Hotel and passing level two professional cookery with distinction. Catherine, 28, who was recently named Gateshead College Student of the Year, said: “I enjoyed the course immensely and it has given me the knowledge and experience to start a career in something I love to do.”