A Suffolk chef who suffered a health scare said her Mexican street food business could not have bounced back without her family.
Amanda Marks, from Charlotte, North Carolina, launched Taquería La Gringa in Haverhill in January with her English husband, Ed, 39, and 18-year-old son Cristian.
She came up with the idea when she noticed that she really missed the abundance of Mexican food after moving to Suffolk.
READ MORE: Line-up announced for Christmas lights switch-on weekend
As the business grew, she moved her operation into a converted horsebox which she began driving to destinations across Suffolk and beyond.
However, while serving at Borofest in Northampton the 39-year-old suddenly collapsed and became unwell with a spate of vomiting and nausea.
The American chef was initially reluctant but was taken taken to hospital by her family, where she was diagnosed with acute cholangitis - a serious infection of the gall bladder.
Mrs Marks says this time was a real struggle for her and had a huge effect on how the business was run.
The American-born mother said: "The first few weeks the guys were completely without me which was tough. They suddenly had to go to pitch and do all of the prep in our home kitchen and in the horsebox themselves.
READ MORE: Two Suffolk cottages named among best in UK
READ MORE: The 10 'picture-postcard' villages named prettiest in Suffolk
"Especially with me being the one with the background in hospitality and, you know, the recipes and the vision, it was tough. I was literally emailing them recipes!
"But, I couldn't be more proud of what they did against impossible odds. And even while they were doing all of that they were still bringing me clothes, toiletries and art supplies to keep me going. They were the real fighters!
She added: "To be honest, this year has been quite an uphill battle. We're really feeling the ramifications of me having been for essentially a month.
"We had to shut down when I first went ill, which was basically halfway through the busiest part of the season.
"This really put us on the back foot and it's hard to make that up in winter as people are obviously saving for Christmas and it's colder.
"However, we will keep pushing and I am so grateful for my family's support."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here