Cheesy Fun: Social Eating Traditions Beyond Fondue

Fondue is a fun and social dining experience that brings people together over a pot of melted cheese, chocolate, or other treats. It's a great way to spend time with friends and family, and it can be a memorable event for all involved. While cheese fondue is the most famous type, there are also other varieties to explore, such as meat fondues and dessert fondues. To make the most of your fondue party, it's important to choose the right equipment, prepare a variety of dippers, and create a cozy atmosphere. You can even add some friendly competition or games to keep your guests entertained. So, get your aprons on, melt some cheese, and let the fondue fun begin!

Fondue party ideas and activities

Planning

To host a fondue party, you'll need a fondue set-up, which includes a fondue pot and fondue forks. You can either go for an electric fondue pot or use a traditional fire gel or chafing fuel as a heat source. If you have a large group, consider getting two sets so that everyone can cook at the same time.

Food and Drink

Fondue parties typically involve a 3-course meal: cheese fondue, broth fondue, and chocolate fondue. Here are some ideas for each course:

Cheese Fondue

• Shredded mild cheddar cheese
• Shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese
• Beer or white cooking wine
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dippers: French bread, apple slices, pre-cooked carrots or broccoli

Broth Fondue

• Chicken broth
• Seasonings (e.g., Tastefully Simple Spinach and Herb Mix)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dippers: Raw shrimp, chicken, beef, salmon, potatoes, bite-sized veggies
• Sauces: Barbecue, teriyaki, steak, cocktail sauce, ranch, etc.

Chocolate Fondue

• Semi-sweet milk chocolate chips
• Milk chocolate chips
• Warm heavy cream
• Peanut butter
• Dippers: Strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, pound cake, cheesecake cut into bite-sized pieces, cookies, pretzels, etc.

In addition to the fondue, you can offer your guests a fun sparkly drink, such as Shirley Temples.

Activities

Fondue parties are a great opportunity to get your guests involved in the preparation. Here are some ideas:

• Planning the menu
• Creating the shopping list
• Tearing/cutting the bread
• Cutting the vegetables, fruit, or bread
• Organizing the forks and assigning a color to each guest
• Designing the layout of dipping sauces

Etiquette

As the host, remind your guests of the proper way to eat fondue:

• Use the long fondue fork to dip and then place the food on a small plate.
• Use a regular fork to eat the food from the plate.
• Do not eat directly from the fondue fork or double-dip.

Fondue dipping ideas

Fondue is a fun and interactive way to enjoy a meal with friends and family. While the traditional Swiss cheese fondue is made with a mixture of melted cheeses, there are endless possibilities for fondue dipping ideas. Here are some unique and tasty options to elevate your fondue game:

Savory Dips:

• Bread: Go beyond the basic cubes of crusty bread and try something different like sourdough, brioche, or even pretzel bread.
• Fruits and Vegetables: Apples, cherry tomatoes, and cornichon pickles are classic choices, but you can also try asparagus, broccoli, cucumber, carrots, or roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and baby potatoes.
• Meats: Cured meats such as prosciutto, thinly sliced sausage, or steak tips are perfect for dipping. For a heartier meal, try cooking raw shrimp, chicken, beef, or salmon in a broth fondue.
• Potatoes: Small boiled potatoes or even french fries can add a comforting and filling element to your fondue spread.
• Cheese: Yes, cheese can be dipped in more cheese! Try stuffing pretzel bites with Brie or serving grilled cheese sandwiches for dipping.

Sweet Dips:

• Fruits: Strawberries, bananas, and apples are classic choices, but don't forget about other options like oranges, pretzel-dipped marshmallows, or even dried fruits like cherries.
• Baked Goods: Pound cake, pretzels, cookies, graham crackers, and rice krispy treats provide a sweet and crunchy contrast to melted chocolate. For an extra indulgent treat, try dipping a brownie or cheesecake bite!
• Confections: Take your fondue to the next level with candy and sweets like cinnamon bears, gummy bears, or pretzel-covered chocolate.

Whether you're enjoying a traditional cheese fondue or branching out with a chocolate or broth fondue, there are endless possibilities for creative and tasty dips to elevate your fondue experience. So, get your fondue pot ready and start dipping!

Fondue themes

Fondue is a fun and social way to eat, and there are many ways to elevate the experience and make it a themed event. Here are some fondue theme ideas:

The Traditional Swiss Fondue

This theme is all about the classic cheese fondue, with a variety of dippers such as bite-sized bread, apples, cured meats, and vegetables like carrots and broccoli. To make it more authentic, use Swiss cheese and follow a traditional Swiss recipe. You could also offer a chocolate fondue for dessert, as chocolate fondue is Swiss-inspired.

The Modern Twist

While fondue is often associated with the 1970s, you can bring it into the 21st century with some modern twists. For example, try using different types of cheese, like gouda or fontina, and add a little brandy and nutmeg to finish. For dippers, offer crispy bread, cured meats, and cooked vegetables like roasted Brussels sprouts or cauliflower.

Sweet Fondue

Chocolate fonduee is always a crowd-pleaser and can be a theme in itself. Offer a variety of dippers such as pound cake, pretzels, strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, and even unusual options like oranges or rice krispy treats. You could also provide different types of chocolate, like white chocolate fondue with a raspberry jam swirl.

Savory Fondue Feast

For those who prefer savory over sweet, a fondue feast can be a fun theme. In addition to the classic cheese fondue, offer a broth fondue with raw shrimp, chicken, beef, salmon, and veggies for dipping. Provide a variety of sauces for the cooked meat and veggies, like barbecue, teriyaki, and cocktail sauce.

Holiday Fondue

Fondue is a great way to celebrate holidays and special occasions. For Christmas, a full-out fondue feast is a fun and memorable tradition. Each family member can be responsible for choosing a few different food items to dip, creating a smorgasbord. You can also theme the fondue and dippers around the colors or flavors associated with the holiday, like green for St. Patrick's Day or red and pink for Valentine's Day.

Fondue games and activities

Fondue is a fun and social way to eat, and there are many ways to elevate the experience into a memorable event. Here are some ideas for games and activities to accompany a fondue dinner.

Fondue Night

Fondue is an interactive dining experience, and a great way to bring people together. It can be a simple meal or an elaborate event with multiple courses. A three-course fondue dinner is a popular option, with cheese fondue as a starter, broth fondue as a main course, and chocolate fondue for dessert. This can be a fun family tradition, especially for special occasions. Get the kids involved in the preparation, from planning the menu and shopping to chopping vegetables and laying the table.

Games and Activities

• Fondue Etiquette: There are some fun rules to follow when eating fondue. For example, if a man drops his bread in the cheese, he must buy a round of drinks, and if a woman does the same, she must kiss her neighbours. Another rule is no double-dipping!
• Dippers: Provide a variety of dippers to keep things interesting. The options are endless, but some popular choices include bread, apples, cured meats, vegetables (raw or cooked), small boiled potatoes, french fries, cornichons, steak, shrimp, sausage, and even marshmallows or pretzels for dessert.
• Drinks: Serve some fun, sparkly drinks to accompany the fondue. Non-alcoholic options like Shirley Temples are great for kids. Adults might enjoy something like a holiday mule, a festive apple cider mimosa, or a Carnival Miami Vice cocktail.
• Forks: Provide each guest with a fondue fork and a regular fork. To avoid confusion, colour-coordinate the fondue forks so that everyone knows which one is theirs.
• Dipping Sauces: In addition to the fondue itself, provide a variety of dipping sauces for the cooked meats. Some options include barbecue, teriyaki, steak sauce, cocktail sauce, and ranch.
• Music and Decor: Set the mood with some festive music and decorations. Candles and a fire going in the background can add to the cosy atmosphere.

Fondue is a versatile and engaging way to eat, and these games and activities can enhance the experience and create lasting memories.

Fondue pairings and sampling

Fondue is a fun, social way to eat and is a great activity for groups. It is also a good way to get people involved in the cooking process. Fondue is a Swiss tradition, and the national dish, but has been popularised around the world. It is a great way to use up stale bread and aged cheeses, and is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit many tastes.

Cheese Fondue

The classic fondue is a cheese fondue, and there are many different cheeses and flavour combinations to try. A simple fondue can be made with mild cheddar and Swiss or Gruyere cheese, with the addition of beer or white wine, and salt and pepper to taste. This can be dipped with French bread, apple slices, or pre-cooked carrots or broccoli. For a stronger flavour, opt for sharper cheeses, and add some hot sauce. A splash of brandy is also a popular addition. For dippers, you can also try cured meats, such as prosciutto, or other vegetables, like cucumber, cauliflower, or small boiled potatoes.

Broth Fondue

For a savoury fondue without cheese, a broth fondue is a tasty alternative. This is a good option for those who are vegan, or who are looking for a lighter option. A simple vegetable broth can be made with chicken broth and a spinach and herb mix, with salt and pepper to taste. For dippers, try raw shrimp, chicken, beef, salmon, potatoes, or vegetables cut into bite-sized pieces. A variety of sauces can be served on the side for dipping the cooked pieces, such as barbecue, teriyaki, or cocktail sauce.

Chocolate Fondue

For a sweet fondue, a chocolate fondue is a fun way to end a meal. A simple chocolate fondue can be made with semi-sweet milk chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, warm heavy cream, and peanut butter. This can be dipped with strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, pound cake, or cheesecake cut into bite-sized pieces. For a more grown-up option, a swirl of raspberry jam can be added to the fondue, and it can be dipped with pretzels and tart green apples. For a truly indulgent option, a peanut butter fondue can be made with white chocolate and peanut butter, and dipped with sweet and salty foods.

Frequently asked questions