Mr Rankin, who moved to the Island in the 1990s and became one of Jersey’s most high-profile Michelin-starred chefs, regularly promoting local produce in the national and international media, is still based in the Island part of the week and says he will always consider Jersey his home.
And, with various TV collaborations and new projects in the pipeline, he said that he expected to continue promoting the Island long into the future – and he may even be open to a return to Jersey if the opportunity is right.
‘I am constantly working on new ventures and Jersey will always play a special part in them, so let’s see what the future holds,’ he said.
‘The produce from Jersey is and has always been central to my cooking. I certainly intend to continue championing it. The freshness and quality of the ingredients here are second to none and there is a real trust with Jersey suppliers.
‘I really enjoy raising awareness about Jersey as an island and what it has to offer. Whenever possible, I make a point of promoting this angle – in London but also beyond.’
And the chef said that his London business, Ormer Mayfair at the luxury London hotel Flemings Mayfair, continues to be supplied by a number of local producers.
‘I have been building relationships with local growers, farmers and fishermen for close to 25 years now, so Ormer Mayfair will definitely continue to have links to Jersey,’ he said. ‘In fact, to this day I continue to source most of the produce from the Island. To give you an example, one of my suppliers is the Classic Herd Farm Shop. They produce an outstanding milk and cream which I use to make the butter at Ormer Mayfair.
‘I also source foraged herbs from Kazz Padidar, who is a local expert. Let’s not forget the iconic Jersey Royals, either, that still have a prominent place on my menus and produce from Woodside Farm, which is a traditional Jersey family farm.
‘I have quite a few projects in the pipeline, including various television collaborations. My whole food philosophy is built around Jersey, so I intend to continue promoting the Island with these activities. As mentioned, the strong relationship that I have built with the local suppliers and the trust that comes with it is paramount to me. I know I can expect the best quality of produce and consistent standards, so I will definitely continue to showcase Jersey suppliers in my future plans.’
And he added: ‘I feel that there is still a lot of work for me to do in Jersey – I am simply looking for the right opportunity.’
It was announced in November that Mr Rankin would no longer play any role in any of the local Ormer brand businesses, bringing an end to a 20-year career in Jersey which started at Longueville Manor and saw him earn a Michelin star at Bohemia restaurant as well as at Ormer.
In March the owners of the business then rebranded Ormer to Samphire, while the Don Street Deli next door became Street, an informal eatery.
