As the city of Pekin celebrates its 200th anniversary, local business Excalibur Seasoning has found a unique way to commemorate this significant milestone. 

For over three decades, Excalibur Seasoning has been operating in Pekin as one of the largest spice companies in the United States. With a passion for flavor, Excalibur is dedicated to providing wholesale customers with the key ingredients needed to make their culinary creations come to life. 

Last year, several community members approached the company with the idea of creating a special spice blend to honor the Pekin Bicentennial. What started as a simple suggestion soon blossomed into an exciting culinary project, resulting in the creation of “Dragon Dust,” a zesty Cajun-inspired spice blend. 

“We laughed it off at first,” said Excalibur Seasoning President and CEO, Mike Shrier. “And then we thought, ‘Why not?’” This initial spark of inspiration led to a series of brainstorming sessions where the team aimed to develop a blend that would resonate with locals and celebrate the essence of Pekin.

The concept of Dragon Dust was not just about flavor; it was about capturing the spirit of the community. The team at Excalibur was inspired by the Pekin Community High School mascot, the Dragon, and felt that the fiery flavor, or  “zing,” as Shrier puts it, of Cajun cuisine represented the spirit of the community. 

Since its introduction, the response to Dragon Dust has been overwhelmingly positive. “People seem to really enjoy the blend,” Shrier noted. “Our intent was just to do something fun for the community.” This local endeavor has struck a chord with residents, many of whom are excited to incorporate the spice into their own cooking.

Dragon Dust isn’t just a spice blend; it’s a representation of Pekin’s community spirit. “At Excalibur, we’re proud of Dragon Dust, just as we’re proud to call the Pekin community our home,” said Shrier. This sentiment reflects the overarching goal of the project: to celebrate Pekin’s legacy while bringing residents together through the love of food. This past September, Dragon Dust was featured at the Rotary Grill during the annual Pekin Marigold Festival, where all proceeds from sales benefited Rotary charities. Community members and festival attendees enthusiastically welcomed the spice blend into their yearly traditions while contributing to a great cause. 

With its unique blend and community-driven ethos, Dragon Dust stands as a testament to the creativity and camaraderie that define Pekin. As locals gather to celebrate 200 years of history, they can enjoy the taste of Pekin in this special spice blend. 

While Excalibur Seasoning has been demonstrating their Pekin pride for over 30 years, Pekin’s story began exactly 200 years ago this year. Throughout the year, the community has engaged in festivities that honor the city’s rich history. By recognizing the trailblazers of the past and celebrating the leaders shaping our community today, the Bicentennial highlights both Pekin’s heritage and its promising future. A variety of educational and entertaining events have captivated residents throughout the year, and there’s still more to come. The City of Pekin encourages everyone to join in this historic celebration and revel in the spirit of our remarkable community.

Currently, Dragon Dust is available for purchase at Maddie Mae’s in downtown Pekin, and Heritage Farmers Market on Route 9.