A COMMON CULINARY GOAL
At Common Restaurant, we believe that the best meals are made with care, intention, and history. This is the ethos behind our culinary mission and the catalyst for the close partnerships we build between our purveyors, farmers, and in-house kitchens. We are proud to have Executive Chef Sean Freeman working alongside Executive Bakery Chef Chelsea Clarkson. Combining Sean’s love for Low Country cuisine, born from him life-long love affair with his hometown of Savannah, with Chelsea’s dedication to the science, artistry, and craft of pastry at our in-house Trombone Bakery, we have forged a true scratch kitchen where the time is taken to craft everything by hand. From the fresh pasta to the coveted cornbread to the slow braise rub to each sauce, shrub, and sweet—everything is created here, in our kitchens, with the intention to impart a story - a piece of our history - to each guest who experiences it.
EAT. DRINK. BE RESTORED.
Chef Sean Freeman
Executive Chef
Born and raised with the flavors of the Georgia coast, Executive Chef Sean Freeman is the driving force behind one of Savannah’s most decorated kitchens. His approach marries deep respect for his local roots with high-level culinary technique, resulting in an award-winning menu that has captured the city's attention.
Chef Freeman is currently celebrating back-to-back wins as "Best Chef of Savannah" from Connect Magazine (2024 & 2025) and led his establishment to receive the coveted DiRONA award in 2025. A familiar face in the media, he has appeared on several magazine covers and was recently featured on "City Eats Savannah" alongside Chef Garvin. Chef Freeman continues to elevate Lowcountry cuisine, proving that the best flavors are homegrown.
The Vibe: Warm, Soulful, Innovative.
Don't Miss: His signature take on his Godmother's Sweet Cornbread.
Chef Chelsea Clarkson
Executive Bakery Chef
Executive Bakery Chef Chelsea Clarkson is the creative force behind the bakery program at Common Restaurant. Armed with a degree from the New England Culinary Institute and experience from The Cloister at Sea Island, she brings a professional discipline and creative spirit to our bakery.
Under Chef Clarkson's leadership, the bakery team has become an indispensable part of Common Restaurant’s identity, contributing heavily to the establishment's 2025 DiRONA award. However, it is a local favorite that brings her the most excitement: Chef Clarkson is the proud creator of what Connect Savannah has officially crowned the "Best Cookie" in the city, a title she wears with a smile.
The Vibe: Precise, Artistic, Comforting.
Don't Miss: The house-made pastas and the daily rotation of fresh Trombone breads.