A Warm, Cheesy Night: Hosting A Fondue Party

A fondue party is a social way of eating where guests can dip various foods into a communal pot of fondue, which is usually either cheese or chocolate-based. Fondue parties are a fun, interactive way to eat with friends and family and can be a great way to reconnect with loved ones. They are also a good opportunity to experiment with different flavour combinations. Savoury fondues are often cheese-based, while sweet fondues tend to be chocolate-based.

Fondue food ideas

A fondue party is a fun and interactive dining experience where guests can dip a variety of food items into a communal pot of melted cheese or chocolate. Here are some food ideas to make your fondue party a success:

Cheese Fondue Dippers:

• Bread: Cubed sourdough, multi-grain, whole wheat, crusty French or Italian bread, pita wedges, fresh tortillas, tortilla chips, croissants, breadsticks, naan, focaccia, or baked polenta cubes.
• Fruits: Sliced bananas, apples, pears, peaches, pineapples, dried fruit, orange sections, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, or grapes.
• Vegetables: Blanched broccoli, asparagus, green beans, snow peas, snap peas, raw or roasted Brussels sprouts, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper slices, celery sticks, roasted potato wedges, roasted sweet potatoes, parsnips, or roasted mushrooms.
• Proteins: Shrimp, sausage, steak, cured meats (e.g. prosciutto), thinly sliced chicken breast, or scallops.
• Others: Cornichons, small pickles, crispy french fries, or boiled baby potatoes.

Chocolate Fondue Dippers:

• Fruits: Strawberries, cherries, orange sections, grapes, bananas, apples, pears, peaches, pineapples, dried fruit, or raspberries.
• Cakes and sweets: Angel food cake cubes, graham crackers, marshmallows, tiny brownies, cookies, ladyfingers, shortbread, amaretti, biscotti, or crystallized ginger chunks.
• Others: Pretzels, croissants, or pound cake.

Tips for a Successful Fondue Party:

• Use a heavy, thick-bottomed fondue pot to prevent the cheese from scorching.
• Offer a variety of dippers to make the fondue party enticing for everyone.
• Provide each guest with a fondue fork and a regular appetizer fork, along with a small appetizer plate.
• Remind guests of proper fondue etiquette: no double dipping, no eating directly from the fondue fork, and no hand dipping.

Fondue equipment

There are four main types of fondue pots: cheese fondue pots, hot oil/broth fondue pots, dessert/chocolate fondue pots, and electric fondue sets.

Cheese fondue pots are typically made from ceramic or earthenware and use adjustable alcohol or gel fuel burners to maintain a constant temperature, preventing the cheese from solidifying.

Hot oil/broth fondue pots are made from materials that can withstand very high temperatures, such as stainless steel, copper, or cast iron. Ceramic pots are not suitable for this purpose.

Dessert/chocolate fondue pots are smaller and use a tealight to keep the chocolate at the right temperature. They are often made from earthenware, ceramic, porcelain, or tempered glass.

Electric fondue sets have become popular in recent years due to their versatility and ease of use. They are suitable for all types of fondue and typically have temperature control settings.

When choosing a fondue pot, it is recommended to opt for reputable companies with experience in fondue equipment manufacturing, such as Swissmar, Trudeau, and Rival.

In addition to the fondue pot itself, other essential equipment for a fondue party includes fondue fuel, fondue burners, fondue forks (disposable or reusable), fondue plates (for meat fondue), and dipping trays or Lazy Susans—special fondue sets with small bowls surrounding the fondue pot for various dips.

Fondue etiquette

The Dos

• Be patient and wait for your turn to dip your food into the pot. Avoid overcrowding the pot or dipping your fork in front of someone else.
• Stir in a figure-eight motion to prevent the mixture from burning or sticking to the pot. This ensures a smooth and consistent texture.
• Use the fondue fork to spear your food and dip it into the pot.
• Once you've taken a bite, avoid re-dipping the same fork back into the communal pot.
• Take a heap of food and pass the basket to the next person to your right. Then spear the food with your fondue fork and wait your turn to dip.

The Don'ts

• Push or force food into the pot if it falls off your fork.
• Scrape the bottom of the fondue pot with your fondue fork.
• Skimp on fondue ingredients.
• Use dirty utensils—always use clean forks and spoons for serving and dipping.
• Eat directly from the fondue fork.
• Double-dip.

Fondue prep

Planning

First, decide on the type of fondue you want to serve. Will it be a cheese fondue, a chocolate fondue, or both? If you opt for cheese, you can choose from a variety of recipes, including traditional Swiss, southwest, or smoky. For chocolate fondue, consider adding a splash of liqueur or creating a s'mores fondue by adding marshmallows. You can even get creative and experiment with other types of fondue, such as vegan or butternut squash "cheese" fondue.

Next, think about your dippers. For cheese fondue, bread and vegetables are classic choices, but you can also offer cured meats, shrimp, sausage, steak, or even pigs in a blanket. If you're serving chocolate fondue, provide cake, fruit, marshmallows, cookies, or brownies for dipping.

Don't forget to plan for drinks as well. A basic white or red wine will pair well with savory fondues, while a port or dessert wine is a better match for sweet chocolate fondue.

Shopping

Once you've decided on your menu, make a shopping list and head to the store. If you're making a cheese fondue, look for a variety of cheeses with good "meltability." For chocolate fondue, choose a high-quality chocolate and any desired add-ins. Don't forget to pick up skewers or fondue forks for your guests to use, as well as plates and regular forks.

Prepping

Give yourself plenty of time to prep your ingredients. Chopping vegetables and making dips can be time-consuming, so set aside several hours for preparation, especially if you're hosting a large group. You may also want to do your shopping the day before to save time.

If you're making a cheese fondue, grate or shred your cheese ahead of time and toss it with cornstarch to ensure a smooth consistency. For chocolate fondue, break the chocolate into small pieces to facilitate melting.

Cooking

On the day of your party, arrange your dippers on large platters or boards, and set up your fondue pot in the centre of the table. If using a corded pot, you may prefer to serve the fondue buffet-style, with the pot on a separate table and guests helping themselves.

When your guests have arrived and are ready to eat, combine your fondue ingredients in a saucepan or your fondue pot and heat until melted, stirring occasionally. For cheese fondue, this typically includes cheese, wine or beer, and seasonings like garlic or nutmeg. For chocolate fondue, melt the chocolate with cream or coconut oil, being careful not to burn it.

Once your fondue is smooth and creamy, it's time to serve. Remind your guests to use their fondue forks for dipping and to place their dipped food on a plate before eating. Most importantly, no double dipping!

Fondue drinks

A fondue party is a fun, interactive way to eat with friends, centred around a pot of fondue—generally melted cheese or chocolate—with a variety of food items for dipping.

Non-Alcoholic

Hot black tea is said to aid digestion after a heavy fondue meal.

Alcoholic

When it comes to drinking alcohol with fondue, there are a few options. A popular opinion is that one should drink a dry, white wine—such as Riesling—to accompany the meal. However, a medical paper has shown that tea spurs digestion faster than wine.

If you're serving cheese fondue, you could pair it with a beer such as Kolsch, Pilsner, or IPA. Alternatively, a high-acid, chilled white wine like Riesling, Chenin Blanc, or Gruner Veltliner would be a good counterpoint to the creamy richness of the cheese. Prosecco is also a good option, being crisp, refreshing, and inexpensive.

If you're serving chocolate fondue, you could pair it with a Pinot Noir or dessert wine. Heavier and more robust beers like milk stout or porter also make perfect partners for chocolate fondue. Bourbon is another option, with its natural sweetness pairing well with the chocolate.

For a fondue party with a retro vibe, you could stock your bar cart with apres-ski cordials like Chartreuse, Grappa, and Amaro.

Frequently asked questions