Wild Common and Chef Orlando Pagán Earn Michelin Star in Inaugural American South Guide

Wild Common and Executive Chef Orlando Pagán (pictured) have earned a Michelin star in the first-ever MICHELIN Guide American South, which was unveiled Nov. 3 during a ceremony at the Peace Center in Greenville.

The new guide marks Michelin’s expansion into the American South, covering Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, in addition to Atlanta. 

Pagán, a Puerto Rico–born chef, draws from his heritage and international fine-dining experience to shape Wild Common’s tasting menus. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Miami, he began his career at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove’s Bizcaya Grill before working in several Michelin-starred restaurants in San Francisco, including Restaurant Gary Danko and State Bird Provisions. His résumé also includes leadership roles at Ame, The Village Pub, Aziza and Spruce.

Pagán moved to Charleston in 2017 to join Chef Sean Brock at McCrady’s Tavern as executive chef. In 2019, he opened Wild Common, a modern tasting-menu restaurant downtown that emphasizes vegetable-forward dishes, seasonality and locally sourced ingredients.

“Receiving a Michelin star is profoundly humbling and deeply gratifying,” Pagán said. “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.”

Pagán, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2011, has spoken openly about how his health journey has influenced his approach to wellness, balance and sustainability in the culinary industry.

The Michelin Guide also recognized The Restaurant at Zero George, another Easton Porter Group property, as Michelin Recommended. Led by Executive Chef Vinson Petrillo, the restaurant has long been considered one of Charleston’s top fine-dining destinations.

“We are incredibly proud of Chef Orlando Pagán and the entire Wild Common team,” said Dean Porter Andrews, co-founder of Easton Porter Group. “To have Wild Common earn a star and The Restaurant at Zero George recognized in the same guide is an extraordinary affirmation of our team’s passion, creativity and commitment to excellence.”