Smith, who has worked in restaurants with Michelin stars for the last 10 years, said he will aim to retain the star first won by Rankin in 2005 and was looking forward to 'freshening' the menu with the addition of more complex dishes.
He said: "I am really excited about immersing myself in the fantastic local produce Jersey has to offer as well as bringing my own personal style and menu design to Bohemia and Jersey.”
Smith's appointment comes following the departure of Rankin, who left the restaurant at the end of last year after nine years as its head chef to focus on a solo venture and TV work.
The new head chef said he was planning to give a greater push to the restaurant's £75 fish and vegetarian tasting menus due its close proximity to the sea and increasing interest in vegetarian dishes.
Lawrence Huggler, owner of Bohemia and The Club Hotel & Spa, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Stephen to Jersey and Bohemia and embracing his constantly evolving menus. We are very excited about this new chapter for Bohemia”.
Michelin star career
Smith began his career working under Jean-Christophe Novelli before moving on to two Michelin star restaurant Heathcote’s. At the age of 24 he was appointed head chef of Gordleton Mill in Hampshire where he earned the restaurant a Michelin star.
The chef went on to work as head chef at Le Restaurant in Melbourne, Australia where he achieved two ‘Hats’, the Australian equivalent to a Michelin star and was awarded Australian Restaurant of the Year.