Double serves at Al’s butchery

Customers at Al and Lissa’s Family Meats in Helensburgh could be forgiven for having to look twice when ordering their double chicken breasts and double smoked ham.

Twins Chris and Matt Asgill have grown used to confused looks during their 22 years, but the confusion has doubled since they both decided to become butchers.

“Sometimes a customer will think I’ve started serving someone else when Chris was looking after them all along,” said Matt, the elder by 15 minutes.

The boys from Woonoona followed their father Ken into the trade with a pre-apprenticeship at Ron Kissell’s old shop in Engadine after leaving school.

Ken said the boys did everything together so it was logical they chose the same career.

“They like their work - they take pride in it,” he said.

“They’re never late and they’ve only had two days off in five years.”

That was before Chris nearly lost his thumb to the boning saw.

The pair plans to open their own shop together one day, once they’ve saved enough money and gained enough experience.