Diane Page, 39, from Falcon Way, Hailsham, and Pat Wilder, 50, from Litlington – both committed vegetarians – set up vegetarian and vegan catering company Veg-Out to plug a yawning gap in the professional food preparation market.
Now the pair have been awarded the prestigious Cordon Vert diploma by the Vegetarian Society.
Veg-Out started just over a year ago.
To win the award the pair had to create a three-course dinner party for VIP guests using their own recipes, complete a Ready, Steady Cook-style challenge and demonstrate their knowledge of vegetarian nutrition and ingredients.
Diane, whose day job is delivering letters in Alfriston, said: 'It was hard work but well worth it to achieve this recognition.
'We started the business because we are both passionate about food and cooking.
'No one else in the area seemed to be offering an exclusively vegetarian and vegan catering service and we enjoy showing that veggie food isn't boring.'
Pat especially enjoys sourcing and using unusual ingredients from around the world while Diane's speciality is creating new ideas for cakes, pastries and desserts.
Diane said: 'We don't do this full-time but it's beginning to get more and more successful.'
As well as the main and growing business of catering for weddings, parties and dinner parties, Diane and Pat are offering Look, Learn and Lunch sessions where they present cookery demonstrations and serve dishes in peoples' homes.
They are also developing a home delivery service of ready-made veggie meals for the freezer.
For more details phone: 01323 449341 or 871619, or visit the website:
www.veg-out-sussex.com