Charleston’s Wild Common and Executive Chef Orlando Pagán Awarded Michelin Star

Easton Porter Group restaurants bring Michelin recognition home to Charleston as the American South earns its first stars

CHARLESTON, SC – November 4, 2025 – Wild Common, one of Charleston’s most acclaimed fine dining destinations, proudly announced that Executive Chef Orlando Pagán and his team have been awarded a coveted Michelin star in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide American South. The recognition was revealed during the guide’s debut awards ceremony held on November 3 at the Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina.

The event marked a historic milestone as Michelin unveiled its first-ever guide to the American South, encompassing Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, in addition to the existing guide for Atlanta. Wild Common’s inclusion among the inaugural class of Michelin-starred restaurants underscores Charleston’s growing influence as a premier culinary destination and celebrates Chef Pagán’s remarkable artistry and leadership.

Chef Orlando Pagán is a Puerto Rico–born chef whose culinary journey blends deep cultural roots with global influences and fine dining precision. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Miami, he began his career at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove’s Bizcaya Grill in Florida before moving to San Francisco, where he refined his craft in several Michelin-starred kitchens. His formative experience includes time at acclaimed restaurants such as Restaurant Gary Danko and the James Beard Award-winning State Bird Provisions, as well as leadership roles as Executive Chef at Ame and The Village Pub, Chef de Cuisine at Aziza, and Executive Sous Chef at Spruce. These experiences, combined with the flavors and traditions of his Puerto Rican heritage, shaped a culinary philosophy defined by balance, seasonality, and bold, expressive flavors.

In 2017, Chef Pagán relocated to Charleston to join Chef Sean Brock at McCrady’s Tavern, where he served as Executive Chef. Two years later, in 2019, he opened Wild Common, a modern tasting-menu restaurant in downtown Charleston. There, he cultivated a culinary identity that is both personal and progressive, rooted in authenticity while seamlessly incorporating global inspiration. His cooking emphasizes thoughtful technique, vegetable-forward creativity, and locally sourced ingredients that highlight the region’s agricultural bounty.

“Receiving a Michelin star is profoundly humbling and deeply gratifying,” said Chef Pagán. “This recognition reflects the collective effort of our team, our purveyors, and our guests who share in the experience of Wild Common each night. It is an honor to bring this level of recognition to Charleston and to represent the city’s vibrant and ever-evolving culinary community.”

Beyond his achievements in the kitchen, Chef Pagán’s journey is also one of resilience. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2011, he has channeled the challenges of living with a chronic illness into a more intentional, wellness-focused lifestyle, advocating for a sustainable and balanced approach to the culinary profession. 

Adding to Easton Porter Group’s achievements, The Restaurant at Zero George, led by Executive Chef Vinson Petrillo, was also recognized as Michelin Recommended in the same inaugural guide, a distinction that highlights the restaurant’s enduring excellence and innovation in Charleston’s fine dining landscape.

“We are incredibly proud of Chef Orlando Pagán and the entire Wild Common team,” said Dean Porter Andrews, co-founder of Easton Porter Group. “This Michelin star is an honor we accept with deep gratitude and humility. It is a proud moment for Charleston and for the South. To have both Wild Common earn a star and The Restaurant at Zero George recognized as Michelin Recommended in the same guide is an extraordinary affirmation of our team’s passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence.”

The Michelin recognition stands as a testament to Easton Porter Group’s philosophy of crafting memorable, ingredient-driven dining experiences that celebrate creativity, precision, and genuine hospitality. With Wild Common’s Michelin star and Zero George’s Michelin Recommended distinction, the group continues to elevate Charleston’s culinary reputation on a national and global stage.

About Wild Common

Wild Common is a modern, tasting-menu restaurant located in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, offering an elevated dining experience that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and connection. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Orlando Pagán, Wild Common showcases globally inspired cuisine rooted in the ingredients and traditions of the Lowcountry. The restaurant’s intimate setting, precision-driven culinary approach, and dedication to exceptional hospitality have earned it national acclaim and a place among the region’s top fine dining destinations. Wild Common is a venture of Easton Porter Group, a Charleston-based luxury hospitality company with an award-winning portfolio of boutique hotels, restaurants, vineyards, and event venues in Charleston and Virginia. Visit www.EastonPorter.com.

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