For over one hundred years, the Vanderburgh County Fair has brought our community together, with a week filled with family fun, local talent, arts, crafts, agriculture, and of course, lots of incredible food.
Behind the scenes, a team of volunteers works tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly and create memorable experiences for everyone. Among them is a familiar face at Prime Foods—Austin Kissel, our very own Research & Development Coordinator.
Growing up right here in the tri-state, Austin’s love for cooking led him to the Culinary Institute of America, where he dove deep into both classic and creative cooking styles, earning degrees in Culinary Science and Culinary Arts. At Prime Foods, Austin is our flavor mastermind, drawing on his top-tier culinary training to drive innovation and enhance the company’s product line.
As both lead chef and R&D Coordinator, Austin drives the creation of new recipes, perfects flavors, and guarantees every product meets top standards for taste and quality. Austin has built a career that’s not just about great food, but also about connecting with and giving back to the southern Indiana community he calls home.
The Vanderburgh County Fair: Where Food and Memories Meet
Austin’s connection to the Vanderburgh County Fair runs deep. For over fifteen years, he has traded his chef’s coat for a volunteer badge, stepping into busy days filled with the sizzle of grills, fryers, and food stands. Now finishing his second term as a Board of Director for the fair, Austin leverages his experience as a member of the Food Committee and a long-time fair association member to coordinate vendors, make sure every meal meets the highest standards, and help pull together dinners for the community.
For Austin, the real reward comes from being part of something bigger than himself. While his main focus is the food booth, he also enjoys stepping in wherever he’s needed around the fair grounds. Austin does his best to ensure there’s enough food for everyone and to help create a space where people feel comfortable and valued. It’s about continuing traditions and building a sense of community, one small act at a time. Whether it’s a perfectly crisp fried chicken dinner or a classic corn dog, it’s all about the simple pleasures that bring people together.
Passing Down Traditions: Cheering on the Next Generation
One of Austin’s favorite parts of the fair is cheering on local students at the annual cooking show. For the past three years, he has served as a judge in the Prepared Foods category for the Vanderburgh County 4-H. He loves watching the kids jump in, experiment, and figure out that a great meal isn’t about expensive ingredients, but about having the courage to try—and sharing what you make. Austin is always there with a kind word or a helpful tip, but his main goal is to make sure everyone leaves feeling proud of what they’ve done. By showing up for these young cooks, Austin keeps a special tradition going, just like others did for him when he was starting out.
Proud Roots, Simple Values
Austin’s story is a great example of the values Prime Foods holds dear—family, hard work, and the power of food to bring people together. We’re truly lucky to have him at Prime Foods. It’s not just his skills that stand out, but also the heart he brings to everything he does, whether he’s on the job or out in the community. Watching Austin volunteer his time and energy at local traditions like the fair reminds us of how much one person’s commitment can matter. We’re proud to work with people like him, and we’re grateful for the difference he makes every single day.
As summer winds down and we get ready for a new school year, we want to take a moment to say thank you—to Austin, to all our hardworking team members, and to every volunteer who gives their time to help make southern Indiana such a caring, tight-knit community. We appreciate everything you do, and we’re truly lucky to be part of it.