You should.  This retro dish is making a hip comeback.  Fondue parties were wildly popular in the 1960s and 1970s, and this fun way to entertain is being brought back to life by a new generation.  Fondue means melted in French and that is exactly what it is….melted cheeses or chocolate.  Delicious!  Sales of fondue pots are booming and pots are easily found in stores or online – or better yet, check your mom’s basement or attic.  If she doesn’t have one, I will bet one of your aunts will.

If you are looking for a relaxed, casual approach to entertaining, whether it is for the holidays, New Years, or just a get together with friends you should consider hosting a fondue party.  One of the biggest benefits from this type of party is that the food is served in such a way that guests will naturally mingle together and chat over pots of melted cheese (thus reducing your stress as the host to keep the conversation flowing over a more formal dinner setting).  Communal cooking and eating will get all of your guests involved and make your party feel cozy and intimate.

There are no rules for throwing a fondue party but if you are looking for some general guidelines I will give you some tips so your party is a smashing success.  A traditional fondue party starts with a cheese fondue, continues with a meat fondue with dipping sauces, and ends with a chocolate fondue.  The nice thing about a fondue party is that you can prepare everything ahead of time, set everything out about 15 minutes before your guests arrive and then you are free to enjoy your party instead of running back and forth to the kitchen.  Be sure to set out plenty of extra napkins to catch any drips or spills.  Beer and wine are traditional accompaniments for fondue but feel free to serve whatever beverages you like.  Light some candles and turn on the music and the party is ready to go.

At the beginning of the party you may want to let your guests in on the rules of fondue etiquette.  Because eating fondue is a group event, you don’t want to let your lips or tongue touch the fork since that’s the part that returns to the pot (no double dipping!!).

In  Switzerland, where fondue is said to have originated, the tradition is that when a man loses the bread off the end of the fork and it drops into the pot they have to buy a bottle of wine for the table.  If a woman drops her bread back into the pot, she is supposed to kiss all the men.  I think I will just mind my manners!

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Lori is a content writer for Discount Party Supplies.  She is married with three children and hosts many family gatherings and parties.  In her free time, Lori enjoys taking yoga classes and in her secret life she likes going to heavy metal concerts (but don’t tell the other soccer moms!).