The chef, who moved to the Island in the 1990s and has become one of the most high-profile figures in Jersey’s fine-dining scene, will no longer play any role in any of the local Ormer businesses.
The move has brought to an end Mr Rankin’s 20-year career in Jersey.
In a statement the owners confirmed they have ‘removed Shaun Rankin from the board’ and ‘terminated their commercial relationship’ with him, adding: ‘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.’
Mr Rankin, meanwhile, said that a newly formed shareholder group at Ormer was wanting to take the restaurant in a direction which was ‘incompatible’ with his ‘food philosophy’.
Although Mr Rankin has been the face of Ormer since it opened in 2013 and has been heavily involved in the business, the kitchen has been led by head chef Lee Smith, who is to remain in place along with his team.
Mr Rankin, who has appeared in numerous TV shows, including Master Chef and Saturday Kitchen, began his Jersey career at Longueville Manor, before leaving in 2003 to lead the then newly opened Bohemia. He left in 2013 to start the Ormer venture.
Last month Mr Rankin, who will continue working at Ormer Mayfair at Flemings Mayfair Hotel in London, under a separate business agreement, praised the Jersey Ormer team after the restaurant kept its coveted Michelin star for the fifth consecutive year.
In a statement, Mr Rankin said: ‘Of course, I am extremely sad that after more than 20 years in Jersey I will be leaving this wonderful Island.
‘My focus has always been on sourcing only the best-quality ingredients and offering the highest standards of food and service – I received my first Michelin star at Bohemia in 2005 and have maintained star status at Ormer Jersey for five consecutive years, the first being awarded just four months after opening in 2013.
‘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.’
