Fondue Fun: Hosting A Christmas Party With Melted Cheese

Hosting a Christmas fondue party is a fun and easy way to entertain guests during the holiday season. Fondue, derived from the French word fondre, meaning to melt, is a simple cooking method that originated in Switzerland. It is a convivial way of eating, making it perfect for informal gatherings. To host a Christmas fondue party, here are some essential tips:

- Choose your fondue style: You can offer cheese, broth/oil, or chocolate fondue, or a combination of these. For Christmas, a meat or seafood fondue in broth/oil can be a festive main course.

- Select your equipment: Ensure you have a fondue pot, long-handled forks for dipping, and skewers or fondue forks for each guest.

- Prepare your ingredients: Pick your cheeses, chocolate, and dipping items. Popular choices include crusty bread, vegetables, apples, and meats.

- Create a cosy atmosphere: Set the mood with soft lighting, perhaps from tealights, and play some festive music in the background.

- Follow food safety guidelines: Keep children and pets away from unattended fondue pots, and be cautious when using hot oil. Use a trivet to protect surfaces, and remind guests not to eat directly from the fondue forks to avoid cross-contamination.

- Encourage guest interaction: Lay out the dipping items on a table and create a cocktail party atmosphere. This will encourage guests to mingle and enjoy the festive spirit.

Choosing your fondue: cheese, broth/oil, or chocolate

Fondue is typically served in three courses: cheese, an Asian hot-pot type where meat is cooked in broth or oil, and chocolate. You can choose to do all three, or just one or two, depending on your preference and how much work you want to put in.

If you're going for cheese fondue, a good cheese is key. Try Beaufort, Emmental, Gruyere, Appenzeller, Fontina, or Gouda. To make the fondue, melt the cheese with white wine and a little garlic. You can also add ingredients like cider, cheddar, pilsner, or jalapeño. Bread, vegetables, and apples are great for dipping.

For broth or oil fondue, you'll need a high-heat-compatible fondue pot, as you'll be cooking with raw ingredients. This is a great option for cooking meat and seafood. Popular dippers include beef cubes, sausage slices, meatballs, shrimp, and vegetables.

Chocolate fondue is a great choice for dessert. Typical ingredients include bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, sugar, butter, and red wine. Offer a variety of dippers, such as marshmallows, bananas, strawberries, pretzels, and pound cake. Cold fruit will hold chocolate better and result in fewer drips.

Picking your dippers: bread, meat, veggies, fruit, pretzels, cake, and more

When it comes to hosting a Christmas fondue party, the dippers are just as important as the fondue itself. Here are some ideas to elevate your fondue party and impress your guests:

Bread

A classic fondue dipper, bread is a must-have for your party. Go for a crusty, day-old bread, such as sourdough, rye, or French bread. Cut the bread into bite-sized cubes or slices for easy dipping. Bread is a perfect pairing with cheese fondue, as it soaks up all that cheesy goodness.

Meat

If you want to add some protein to your fondue, there are several options to choose from. Cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, or chorizo sausage are great choices and pair well with cheese or chocolate fondue. For cooking in hot oil or broth, try beef cubes, steak slices, chicken, meatballs, or shrimp. Just be sure to pat dry any items before placing them in the oil to prevent splatters.

Veggies

Vegetables are a versatile option for fondue and can be served raw, cooked, or blanched. Some popular choices include asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, mushrooms, and green beans. If you're feeling adventurous, try tempura-battered vegetables, such as zucchini, summer squash, or potatoes.

Fruit

Fruit adds a refreshing touch to your fondue spread. For cheese fondue, apples and pears are a classic choice, but you can also try something different like mandarin oranges or figs. When it comes to chocolate fondue, strawberries, bananas, and dried apricots are always a hit. Cold fruit will hold chocolate better, resulting in fewer drips.

Pretzels

Pretzels are a great alternative to bread and pair well with both cheese and chocolate fondue. They add a salty, crunchy element to your spread and are perfect for dipping.

Cake

For a decadent dessert fondue, cake is a must-have. Pound cake is a classic choice, but you can also offer cubed brownie chunks, cheesecake, or rice krispie treats for a unique twist.

And More...

The possibilities for fondue dippers are endless! Other options include marshmallows, graham crackers, pretzels, Oreos, churros, and even potato chips. Get creative and offer a variety of dippers to elevate your Christmas fondue party.

Preparing your equipment: fondue pot, skewers, plates, napkins, bowls

To host a Christmas fondue party, you'll need to ensure you have the right equipment. Here's a detailed list of the essentials:

Fondue Pot

The fondue pot is the star of the show and will be the central feature of your party. There are a few options to choose from when it comes to selecting a fondue pot. Traditional fondue pots are fuelled by liquid fuel or fuel paste, while electric fondue pots are also available and offer better temperature control. If you're feeling retro, you can even opt for a pot warmed by candles or Sterno. Each type has its pros and cons, so consider your priorities. If you want to reduce the risk of an open flame, for example, an electric pot might be best.

Skewers

Each guest should have their own skewer or fondue fork. These are used to spear the food and dip it into the fondue. If you're using a fondue set, the skewers are typically colour-coded, but if you're using bamboo skewers, you can colour-code them yourself with markers. It's important to have enough skewers for all your guests to avoid double-dipping!

Plates

You'll need fondue plates for your guests to place their food on before eating. These can be regular dinner plates, or you could opt for vintage plates for a retro twist. It's also a good idea to have serving plates to display the raw items for dipping and cooking.

Napkins

Fondue parties can get a little messy, so it's essential to provide your guests with napkins. Aim for one napkin per guest, plus plenty of extras!

Bowls

You'll need bowls for holding dips and sauces for your cooked meats, seafood, and vegetables. These can be simple, or you could opt for something more festive to match your Christmas theme.

Setting the mood: music, decor, and a cosy location

Music and decor are essential to setting the mood for your Christmas fondue party. If you're going for a retro theme, decorate your space with table linens and dinnerware in groovy retro colours. Invite your guests to dress up in their best vintage outfits and create a playlist of disco music. If you want to go all out, you can even find some disco lights to set the mood.

For a more elegant and cosy atmosphere, opt for a campfire theme. Incorporate natural elements such as real or faux botanicals, flowers, and wooden plate chargers. Citronella candles will not only add to the ambiance but will also help keep bugs away. Soft lighting, such as candles in hurricane candle holders and lanterns, will create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Playing nature sounds in the background can also enhance the overall atmosphere.

When choosing a location for your fondue party, consider a cosy spot near a fireplace or set up a space by the Christmas tree. If you're hosting a larger group, you may want to lay out the dipping items on a table and have a separate area for the fondue pots to encourage interaction and a cocktail party vibe. Don't forget to cover your table with an easy-to-clean cloth, as drips and spills are inevitable!

Health and safety: avoiding cross-contamination, keeping children and pets safe

When hosting a Christmas fondue party, there are several health and safety measures to keep in mind to ensure your guests can enjoy themselves without worry. Here are some essential tips to make your party a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone:

Avoiding Cross-Contamination

To prevent cross-contamination, it is important to emphasise to your guests the proper way to enjoy fondue. Firstly, remind your guests that the fondue forks are solely for dipping. They should not eat directly from the fondue forks but instead use their regular forks to eat the food once it has been dipped and placed on their plates. This will help prevent the spread of germs and contaminants. Additionally, double-dipping should be avoided, as it can also lead to cross-contamination.

Keeping Children and Pets Safe

If there are children or pets attending your party, take extra precautions to ensure their safety. Keep them away from unattended fondue pots, especially those containing hot oil, as they pose a safety risk. In the unfortunate event of an oil fire, do not attempt to extinguish it with water. Instead, cover the pot with a lid to cut off the oxygen supply and smother the flames. Additionally, ensure that fondue forks are kept out of the reach of children and pets, as they can become extremely hot and cause burns.

Other Safety Measures

• Use a trivet to protect the surface underneath your fondue pot from heat damage.
• Secure the cords of electric fondue pots to prevent tripping hazards.
• Provide each guest with a nice cloth napkin to protect their clothing from drips and spills.
• Cover your table with an easy-to-clean tablecloth to make cleanup easier and reduce the risk of stains.
• If serving alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation to ensure food safety protocols are followed.

By following these health and safety guidelines, you can create a fun and safe environment for your guests to enjoy the delicious and interactive experience of a Christmas fondue party.

Frequently asked questions