Fondue Party Planning: A Step-By-Step Guide To Success

Fondue parties are a fun and interactive way to bring people together over delicious food. Fondue, by definition, is a dish where small pieces of food are dipped into a hot sauce or cooking medium, such as oil or broth. The key to a great fondue party is variety, from the types of fondue to the dippers, and creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere for your guests. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about throwing an unforgettable fondue party.

Fondue recipes: cheese, chocolate, and international twists

Fondue is a Swiss dish that gained popularity in the US in the 1960s and is typically served in three courses: cheese, an Asian hot-pot type where meat is cooked in broth, and chocolate. It is a fun and engaging meal for entertaining guests and a great way to reconnect with loved ones. Here are some fondue recipes and tips to get you started:

Cheese Fondue

For a traditional Swiss cheese fondue, you will need a combination of firm, mountain-style cheeses such as Gruyere, Swiss cheese, and Appenzeller. Other good choices include Gouda, Fontina, and Emmental. You will also need a dry, high-acid white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay.

• Grate all the cheeses and toss them with cornstarch to prevent clumping.
• Rub the inside of the fondue pot with garlic and add some kirsch (cherry brandy) or white wine.
• Bring the wine to a simmer in the fondue pot, then mix in the flour and nutmeg.
• Slowly add the cheeses, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
• Serve with cubed French bread, boiled baby potatoes, steamed vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus), sliced apples, and cooked sausage.

Chocolate Fondue

Chocolate fondue is the easiest and sweetest type of fondue. You will need semisweet chocolate, milk chocolate, and whipping cream. A dash of orange, coffee, or cherry liqueurs can bring out more flavour.

• Chop up the chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl.
• Bring the whipping cream to a boil and pour it over the chocolate, stirring until melted.
• Serve with fruit, cookies, mini cakes, banana slices, pretzels, and plain potato chips for a sweet and salty twist.

International Twists

Fondue can be easily adapted to incorporate international themes and different flavour profiles. For example, you can make a Mexican-inspired cheese fondue with jalapeños and Monterey Jack cheese, or an Irish-influenced version with Guinness and Irish cheddar. For an Asian-inspired fondue, try a Chinese hot pot with choice cuts of steak, seafood, and vegetables cooked in a fragrant broth.

Fondue equipment: pots, forks, and more

Fondue equipment is essential to throwing a successful fondue party. The most important piece of equipment is the fondue pot, also known as a caquelon. Different types of fondue require different types of pots. For instance, cheese fondue pots are typically made of earthenware, have a flat bottom, and a large opening for dipping. On the other hand, hot oil fondue pots must be made of stainless steel, copper, or cast iron to withstand very high temperatures. Chocolate or dessert fondue pots are usually smaller and use a tealight to keep the chocolate melted. Electric fondue pots are also an option, offering convenience and ease of use.

In addition to the pot itself, you will need the appropriate fuel source. Fondue fuel can include unscented tealights, alcohol, fondue gel, or Sterno. It is important to choose the right type of fuel for your fondue pot and to store it safely away from children and pets.

Another important piece of equipment is the fondue fork. There are two main types of forks: meat and cheese fondue forks, which have two or three prongs and long handles; and dessert forks, which are shorter but still allow for dipping without burning your fingers. It is recommended to have colour-coded forks so that guests can keep track of their own.

Other equipment to consider for your fondue party includes fondue plates, which have multiple compartments for dips and side dishes, and dipping trays, which can hold various sauces and condiments. A stable, flat surface for the fondue pot and a large enough table to accommodate all your guests and equipment are also important considerations.

Fondue prep: what to do before your guests arrive

Fondue parties are a fun and interactive way to entertain your guests and a great excuse to gather your friends around a pot of bubbling cheese or chocolate. Here is a prep guide to ensure your party goes smoothly:

Choose your fondue

Fondue parties typically consist of three courses: cheese, an Asian hot-pot where meat is cooked in broth, and chocolate. However, you may choose to eliminate the hot-pot course, focusing instead on the cheese and dessert courses, with a charcuterie or meat platter in between.

Plan your dippers

The fun of a fondue party is the variety of dippers your guests can experiment with. For the cheese fondue, you can offer bite-sized bread (such as baguette or sourdough), apples, cured meats, and cooked vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and potatoes). For the chocolate fondue, offer strawberries, bananas, pretzel sticks, pound cake, marshmallows, and other fruits.

Shop for ingredients

Don't skimp on prep time or ingredient quality. A fondue party may seem simple, but it requires careful planning and high-quality ingredients. Buy the best cheese you can; a mix of Gruyère, Fontina, and Gouda works well, or you could opt for a classic Swiss cheese fondue. For chocolate fondue, you can use a simple combination of chocolate frosting and mini marshmallows.

Prepare the dippers

You can chop the bread, cake, and fruit into bite-sized pieces a few hours before your party. Grate or cube the cheese in advance, too. Marinate your meats in a variety of flavors to offer something extra special.

Check your equipment

Ensure you have all the equipment you need, including a fondue pot, skewers or fondue forks for each guest, plates, and napkins. If using a fondue set, the skewers will likely be color-coded. If not, you can use bamboo skewers and color-code the ends with markers to help your guests keep track.

Set the table

Place the fondue pot in the center of the table, with all the dippers laid out around it. You can create a cocktail party atmosphere, allowing guests to fill their plates and then gather around the fondue pot. Cover the table with an easy-to-clean cloth, as drips and spills are inevitable.

Final touches

Create a festive atmosphere with candles and decorations. You can also serve a themed cocktail with each course; for instance, a Pomegranate Rosemary Gin Fizz with the cheese fondue and a Gingerbread Martini with the chocolate fondue.

Fondue etiquette: how to eat fondue

Fondue is a fun and interactive way to enjoy food with friends, but there are some etiquette rules to follow to ensure everyone has a good time. Here are some tips to make sure your fondue party is a success:

No Double Dipping

This is the ultimate fondue party foul. Anything that goes into the pot once cannot go back in after you've taken a bite.

Don't Put Your Fondue Fork Directly in Your Mouth

After dipping, slide the food off the fondue fork onto a plate and then use a regular fork to eat. This is not only proper etiquette but also helps to keep things sanitary, as the fondue fork will be placed back into the pot.

Use Your Fondue Fork Properly

Don't eat directly from the fondue fork, as it will be too hot, and you may burn your mouth. Instead, use the fondue fork to cook your food in the pot, then transfer it to your plate to eat with a regular fork. This also helps to prevent cross-contamination, especially when cooking raw meats.

Don't Use Your Fingers

This should go without saying, but no one should be using their fingers to dip into the fondue pot.

Provide a Plate and Regular Fork for Each Guest

In addition to a fondue fork, provide each guest with a small appetizer plate and a regular fork. This will make it easier for them to transfer their food from the fondue fork to their plate and then eat it with the regular fork.

Offer a Variety of Dippers

While classics like bread, apples, and cured meats are always a hit, it's nice to branch out and offer other options. Proteins such as shrimp, sausage, and steak can be a great addition, as well as cooked vegetables like asparagus and broccoli.

Prepare Most of the Food in Advance

You can chop the bread, cake, and fruit into bite-sized pieces a few hours before your party. Grate or cube the cheese and chocolate for your fondue and store them in the fridge until your guests arrive. This will make it easier to heat the ingredients together when your guests are ready to eat.

Create a Cocktail Party Atmosphere

Instead of seating all your guests around a large table, create a more interactive and social atmosphere by laying out the dipping items on a table. Guests can fill their plates and then gather around the fondue pots to dip and chat.

Provide Napkins and an Easy-to-Clean Tablecloth

Drips and spills are inevitable at a fondue party, so it's a good idea to provide each guest with a nice cloth napkin to protect their clothes. Cover your table with an easy-to-clean tablecloth to make post-party clean-up a breeze.

Fondue dippers: what foods to serve alongside

When throwing a fondue party, the food you serve alongside the fondue is almost as important as the fondue itself. Here are some ideas for fondue dippers to serve at your party:

Bread

Bread is a classic fondue dipper and for good reason: it soaks up the warm, creamy cheese or chocolate. Go for a French baguette, sourdough, breadsticks, bagels, croutons, or pretzels. Just make sure to toast the bread first so it doesn't fall apart in the fondue!

Meat

Meat is a surprisingly versatile fondue dipper. Try meatballs, sausage (especially authentic sweet Italian sausage), poached chicken, or steak. If you want to get really fancy, skewer a bit of bread and steak, dip it in the fondue, and you've got yourself a mini cheeseburger!

Seafood

For a fancy fondue experience, try dipping grilled or fried seafood like shrimp, scallops, octopus, or squid into your cheese fondue.

Vegetables

Vegetables are a great way to add a bit of freshness to your fondue spread. Broccoli and cauliflower are classic choices, but you could also try bell peppers, roasted potatoes, or even roasted Brussels sprouts.

Fruit

While fruit is more commonly associated with chocolate fondue, it can also be delicious when paired with cheese fondue. Apples and pears are a classic choice, but you could also try mandarin oranges, citrus wedges, apricots, nectarines, or peaches.

Other ideas

If you're looking for something a little more unusual, try dipping pickles, tortilla chips, potato chips, ravioli, or tortellini in your fondue.

Frequently asked questions