Shaun Rankin says Ormer Jersey refocus "incompatible" with his philosophy

Chef Shaun Rankin has been removed from the board of the Michelin-starred Ormer Jersey after five years.

He said: "Of course, I am extremely sad that after more than 20 years in Jersey I will be leaving this wonderful island. The newly-formed shareholder group of Ormer Jersey has decided to refocus in a way which is incompatible with my food philosophy and would require me taking a different direction. I shall now be based in London and look forward to continuing my work with the luxury London hotel, Flemings Mayfair."

Rankin opened the restaurant as chef-proprietor in 2013 with Lee Smith as head chef, after leading the kitchens at Jersey's Bohemia for nine years, where he received his first Michelin star in 2005. Smith and the existing team will remain in place at the restaurant.

In a statement, the owners of the restaurant said: "It is time to move forward with a refocused vision for Ormer and Shaun Rankin does not form part of our plans for the future. We will be concentrating on enhancing our presence in Jersey and selectively adding to our restaurants in the UK, starting with an exciting new venture in Liverpool."

The owners said they had also removed Rankin from all subsidiaries, terminating their commercial relationship, adding they are looking to develop the Don Street Deli into an "unfussy modern dining experience", and enclosing the roof terrace bar to provide all-year use.

Henrik Muehle, general manager of the Flemings Mayfair hotel in London, in which Rankin runs Ormer Mayfair, said the partnership is unaffected by his departure from Jersey, adding: "Our full intention is that he will continue working for the hotel."

Rankin opened the 85-cover Ormer Mayfair restaurant in September 2016 following the hotel's £15m refurbishment.

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