The pair are set to headline next weekend’s Grampians Grape Escape in Halls Gap, breaking down a whole pig to educate crowds on different meat cuts, pork versatility and nose-to-tail cooking.

Celebrity chef Matt Sinclair (MasterChef  and The Cook’s Pantry) will then use some of the cuts they make in an Asian-inspired cooking demonstration – remaining meat will be used in a festival barbecue to ensure no cut is wasted.

For the Avoca-based James Collicoat (Pyrenees Premium Cuts), the chance to team up with the sustainable celebrity and trained chef can both show what the region has to offer and, importantly, a near-lost art form.

Pyrenees Premium Cuts is known for its open window to watch butchers at work in what co-owner Hayley Collicoat said helped customers understand the whole process.

“The break down is to get the right cut, the best cuts. Everything is used,” Ms Collicoat said.

“The window is used so people can see the skills of the butcher.

“When we say lamb sausages, they really are just made with bits from the lamb – just lamb, with a few spices.”

Paul West has become a passionate champion of fresh local produce, community, regional living and sustainable agriculture. Since River Cottage Australia finished filming in 2015, Mr West has promoted sustainable farming on television, radio and in cooking demonstrations like Grape Escape.

This approach fits in with the Collicoats have been working to promote since setting up shop in Avoca the past two years. 

Ms Collicoat said customers, those from the region and visiting from further afield, were increasingly interested in where they source their produce. They work closely with neighbouring farmers for meat and local producers for complementary food 

High customer demand has led to their opening a shop in Maryborough earlier this week.

“We’ll gradually be getting produce from our Avoca store to Maryborough and we’ll still be cooking in Avoca,” Ms Collicoat said. “We’re all about promoting Avoca. The town’s been really behind us and we want to continue that theme. It’s really important we’re all supporting each other.”

Paul West will be in action across the two-day festival. His butchery masterclass with James Collicoat is on Sunday, May 6.

Festival co-director Vanessa Briody said there had already been plenty of buzz about the chef’s involvement.

“Paul has a huge following and is clearly adored by many, I think because of the relaxing nature of the show and Paul himself, not to mention the country’s love for his dog Digger,” Ms Briody said.

Grampians Grape Escape is in Halls Gap May 5-6.

Details and to book online, go to: grampiansgrapeescape.com.au.