Setting The Table For A Fondue Dinner

Fondue is a fun and interactive dining experience that's perfect for a casual get-together or a special occasion. When hosting a fondue dinner, it's important to create a cosy atmosphere, prepare a variety of dipping options, and ensure that health and safety measures are followed. Here are some tips to help you set the table for a memorable fondue night.

First, decide on the type of fondue you want to serve. The most popular options are cheese fondue and chocolate fondue, but you can also explore other varieties such as meat or seafood fondue. Choose high-quality cheeses such as Gruyère, Emmental, or Gouda for cheese fondue, and select bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream, and butter for a classic chocolate fondue.

Prepare an assortment of dipping options to accompany your fondue. For cheese fondue, offer crusty bread, vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower, and fruits such as apples. If you're serving chocolate fondue, provide marshmallows, strawberries, bananas, and pretzels for dipping.

To create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, use a fondue pot to keep the fondue warm and easily accessible for your guests. You can also provide individual fondue pots if preferred. Ensure you have enough fondue forks or skewers for each guest, as well as regular flatware for eating. Napkins are a must-have, and you may also want to include bowls for dips and serving plates for raw items.

Don't forget to pay attention to health and safety considerations. Keep children and pets away from unattended fondue pots, and be cautious with hot oil to prevent splatters. Always use separate utensils for raw and cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination.

Choose your fondue pot

When choosing your fondue pot, you have a few options. The first is an electric fondue pot, which is versatile and can be used for cheese, chocolate and oil-based fondues. It is easy to control the temperature, but you will need to plug it in, which can be a little tricky. The second option is a ceramic or cast-iron fondue pot, which doesn't require a plug and looks classy and elegant. However, you will need to purchase additional fuel, like sterno, to power the flame and it has less precise temperature control.

If you are serving a large group, you may want to consider purchasing multiple fondue pots or individual fondue pots for each guest, especially if your guests have food allergies or if a communal pot makes you squeamish.

If you don't have a fondue pot, you can easily serve cheese fondue in a small ceramic dish or cast-iron pot. You want to use something thick that will retain heat well. Ideally, you would have a heat source underneath, such as a chafing dish over candles or a single portable burner.

If you are making broth or hot oil fondue, you will need a heat source. You can use an electric burner, a hot pot, or even an Instant Pot.

When purchasing a fondue pot, it is important to consider the number of guests you will be serving. Typically, one fondue pot serves about four people.

In addition to the fondue pot itself, you will also need fondue forks or skewers for each guest. Most fondue sets only come with four, so you may need to purchase additional ones. It is also a good idea to have regular flatware on hand, as fondue forks can get extremely hot and food should not be eaten directly from them.

Prepare your ingredients

The ingredients you prepare will depend on the type of fondue you're making. For a cheese fondue, you'll need a good-quality cheese such as Fontina, Gruyère, or Gouda, and some form of alcohol—either dry white wine, beer, or brandy. You'll also need cornstarch to thicken the fondue and a variety of dippers, such as bread, apples, vegetables, and meats.

For a meat or seafood fondue, you'll need a hot cooking component such as oil or broth. Popular items for dipping include beef cubes, sausage slices, meatballs, and shrimp.

If you're making a dessert fondue, you'll need chocolate, heavy cream, sugar, butter, and perhaps red wine. For dipping, you can use marshmallows, bananas, strawberries, graham crackers, pretzels, and pound cake.

Remember to cut all your dipping items into bite-sized pieces.

Cheese Fondue

• 1/3 pound of firm alpine-style cheese such as Gruyère
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1 cup of dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
• Assorted fondue dippers: boiled baby potatoes, steamed broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, mushrooms, sliced apples, cooked sausage, and cubed bread

Meat Fondue

• 16 oz of prime rib, filet mignon, or ribeye, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 16 oz of raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 16 oz of broccoli florets
• 8 oz of roasting potatoes
• 2 tablespoons each of creamy horseradish, whole-grain mustard, honey butter, yum yum sauce, and Thai ginger chili sauce

Chocolate Fondue

• Bittersweet chocolate
• Heavy cream
• Sugar
• Butter
• Red wine (optional)
• Marshmallows, bananas, strawberries, figs, graham crackers, pretzels, and pound cake for dipping

Cooking tips

Fondue is a fun and interactive dining experience that's perfect for a casual get-together or a special occasion. Here are some cooking tips to ensure your fondue dinner is a success:

• Choose the right cheese: For classic Swiss cheese fondue, use a blend of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses such as Gruyere, Emmental, and Appenzeller. Other good options include Fontina, Gouda, Comté, and Raclette.
• Prepare the cheese properly: Grate the cheese instead of chopping it for quicker melting and a smoother fondue. Toss the grated cheese with cornstarch to thicken the fondue and prevent clumping.
• Use good quality wine: Classic cheese fondue calls for dry, high-acid white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or Unoaked Chardonnay. The wine adds flavour and helps keep the cheese mixture smooth.
• Add the cheese slowly: For a smooth and lump-free fondue, add the cheese slowly, stirring constantly between each addition. Don't rush this step!
• Offer a variety of dippers: Provide a range of options for your guests to dip into the fondue. Good choices include crusty bread, apples, vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, carrots), cooked meats (such as shrimp, sausage, steak), and potatoes.
• Temperature control: Keep an eye on the temperature of your fondue pot, especially if using hot oil. Too high, and you risk burning your food; too low, and it will take forever to cook.
• Separate plates for raw and cooked foods: Always use separate plates and utensils for raw and cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination.
• Experiment with sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces to complement the fondue, such as sweet and spicy Thai ginger sauce, creamy horseradish sauce, spicy brown mustard, or honey butter.
• Keep it simple: You don't need a huge variety of ingredients for a successful fondue night. Focus on a few high-quality options and enjoy the interactive cooking and dining experience.
• Safety first: Be cautious when working with hot oil. Keep children and pets away from the fondue pot, and never use water to put out an oil fire. Use a lid to reduce the oxygen supply.

Safety measures

To ensure your fondue dinner is a safe and enjoyable experience for all, here are some important safety measures to keep in mind:

Use the Right Fondue Pot

Select a fondue pot made of high-heat-compatible materials such as cast iron, stainless steel, or copper. This is crucial if you're using hot oil or broth for cooking raw ingredients.

Prevent Cross-Contamination

Keep raw and cooked foods on separate plates, and use different utensils for cooking and eating. This is essential to avoid any chance of cross-contamination, especially when dealing with raw meat.

Handle Hot Oil with Care

Be cautious when working with hot oil. Ensure that items going into the oil are patted dry to prevent splatters. Keep children and pets away from unattended oil pots. In the event of an oil fire, never use water to extinguish the flames. Instead, cover the pot with a lid to cut off the oxygen supply.

Use Standard Flatware for Eating

Fondue forks can get extremely hot, so it's best not to eat directly from them. Provide room-temperature standard flatware for your guests to slide the food off the fondue fork onto before consuming it.

Stabilize the Fondue Pot

Use a trivet or similar item to protect the surface that your fondue pot is sitting on. This will prevent any accidental spills or burns.

Monitor Oil Temperature

Keep a close eye on the oil temperature. If it gets too hot, you risk burning your ingredients, and if it's too cool, you'll need to wait longer for your food to cook.

Provide Napkins

Fondue can be a messy affair, so it's a good idea to provide each guest with a napkin and have plenty of extras on hand.

Avoid Double-Dipping

As a general rule of fondue etiquette, remind your guests not to double-dip. Anything that goes into the pot once should not go back in after being bitten or touched with utensils.

Use Fondue Forks for Dipping Only

Instruct your guests not to put their fondue forks directly into their mouths. Instead, they should slide the food onto a plate and use regular forks or spoons to eat.

General fondue tips

• For the best fondue experience, focus on the perfect fondue recipe and some tasty and unique dippers.
• Use a cordless fondue pot to easily place the pot in the middle of the table. Alternatively, if your pot has a cord, consider serving the fondue buffet-style and letting guests serve themselves.
• Provide each guest with a fondue fork and a regular appetizer fork, along with a small appetizer plate. If serving a side salad, use dinner plates instead.
• Remind guests to use the long fondue fork to dip and then place the food on their plate. They should then use their regular fork to eat.
• To avoid germs and contamination, do not eat directly from the fondue fork, and avoid double-dipping.
• Offer a variety of dippers such as bite-sized bread, apples, cured meats, shrimp, sausage, steak, asparagus, broccoli, small boiled potatoes, thinly sliced sausage, cornichons, and steak tips.
• If using a pot with a cord, secure the cords to the electric pots to prevent anyone from accidentally tripping and knocking over the pot.
• Give each guest two forks so they can cook one item and dip another in the cheese while they wait.
• Spend a few minutes explaining how fondue works, especially if your guests are new to the experience.
• Don't overdo it with too many varieties of meats, sides, and sauces. Stick to a few options to keep things simple and enjoyable for your guests.
• Avoid serving too much alcohol with fondue to prevent guests from forgetting about food safety and proper etiquette.
• For cheese fondue, grate the cheese instead of chopping it to ensure quicker melting and a smoother fondue.
• Use good-quality cheese, such as Fontina, Gruyère, and Gouda, for the best flavour and texture.
• Toss the cheese with cornstarch to thicken the fondue and prevent clumping.
• Use a dry, high-acid white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay, for the best flavour and to keep the fondue smooth.
• Add the cheese slowly and stir constantly to ensure a smooth and luscious fondue.
• For an extra flavour boost, stir in a tablespoon of fortified wine or liqueur, such as brandy or Kirsch.
• Offer a variety of dippers for cheese fondue, such as bread cubes, tart apples, crudités, roasted baby potatoes, steamed broccoli, pickles, and bacon.
• If using a fondue pot, transfer the fondue from the stove to the pot to keep it warm and melty.
• For oil-based fondues, use a pan on the stove to heat the oil, and then carefully transfer it to the fondue pot.
• Cut ingredients into bite-sized pieces for easier consumption and to ensure even cooking.
• Use less crumbly, day-old bread and slightly stale cake to minimise mess.
• Cut vegetables into different colours to make the spread visually appealing and Instagram-worthy.
• Use colourful plates to add a pop of colour to your table and enhance the aesthetics of your fondue party.

Frequently asked questions