For over ten years, James and Nancy Sheridan Laird have maintained the highest possible dining standards at their elegant restaurant, Serenade, by presenting exquisitely light French-influenced food to discriminating guests.

On October 31, 1996, James and Nancy Sheridan Laird welcomed guests for the first time to their beautiful new restaurant located in the picturesque town of Chatham, New Jersey. Shortly thereafter, critics from The New York Times, New Jersey Monthly, The Star-Ledger, The Record, The Asbury Park Press and The TV Food Network all praised James's contemporary French cuisine, and proclaimed the couple two of the newest - and brightest - stars in the food world firmament.

Their culinary love story is unique. After meeting in the kitchen at New Jersey's renowned Ryland Inn - where James was sous-chef and Nancy was an extern from the Culinary Institute of America - the pair chose to join forces both romantically and professionally. Married in March 1996, they opened Restaurant Serenade just a few months later. Why the name "Serenade"? As Nancy explains, "A serenade is an evening love song, and when you watch James in the kitchen, you can see how much love he puts into his food. So 'serenade' made sense to us both."

Dinner at this jewel-like restaurant has been described as the "truly luxurious eating." Adjectives such as "outstanding" and "attention to detail and an obsession with freshness" are frequently used by guests (Zagat Survey).

Much of the restaurant's appeal results directly from the collaboration between its proprietors. The couple's philosophy is simple: they believe that "our vision of what makes an outstanding restaurant comes out of our striving to be a great team. Respect for each other translates into respect for our patrons and appreciation for the positive results."