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If you decide to host a sit down fondue party, limit the number of guests to 8 or 10 as everyone needs to be able to reach the fondue pots. If you want to host more people, choose the buffet party and set up pots around the house.

Once you determine the type of party and the number of people you will invite, it is time to organize your fondue equipment and select your recipes.

Fondue Pots

There are many styles to choose from but basically it comes down to the heating source and the size of the pot.

Electric Pot — Rival Fondue Pots are reliable and work well for any kind of fondue party. They are convenient and easy to use because you do not have to worry about the heating source and their non-stick interior makes clean up a breeze.

Sterno Pot — You will find several sterno fondue pots on the market. Rachel Ray, the Food Network host, has a series of sterno pots in various colors which work especially well when you do not want to worry about people tripping over electric cords. The sterno units last for several hours too.

Tea Light Pot — I especially like fondue pots that use a tea light for the heat source. You can buy a huge bag of tea lights very cheaply at any craft store and you can find the pots in varying sizes so they work well with savory and dessert fondues.

If you are going to host fondue parties regularly, it is a good idea to have several different pots available so that you are ready for any situation.

Next, you need to choose your recipes. For a party of 8, serve 2 or 3 savory fondue recipes and 1 dessert recipe.

Savory Recipe — Garlic Cream Cheese Fondue

1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Canola oil
2-8oz. packages cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup milk
8 oz. sour cream
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Dippers such as Italian bread, apples, broccoli, steamed potato chunks

In a heavy saucepan, saute onion and garlic in oil until translucent.

Add cream cheese, milk, sour cream and mustard and stir until melted.

Pour mixture into a fondue pot set to low and serve with dippers. This one is fantastic served with bread and potato chunks.

Dessert Recipe – Chocolate Caramel Fondue

12 Turtles or another chocolate caramel candy
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Dippers such as pound cake, strawberries, shortbread cookies

Coarsely chop Turtles and place in a microwavable bowl. Add whipping cream and cinnamon.

Microwave on medium heat for about 1 minute, stir and then cook another 30 seconds or until candy is completely melted.

Pour into a fondue pot and set to low. Serve warm with dippers.

The most important thing to remember about hosting an Easy Fondue Party is to keep it casual. That is what fondue parties are all about. It is what your guests expect. Good food, good company, casual environment.

Avoid double dipping into the fondue pot.

Double dipping your bread into the fondue pot is a big faux pas when it comes to eating fondue. What is double dipping? It’s dipping the bread once, eating a portion of it, and then dipping back into the pot a second time for more fondue. This is almost guaranteed to be offensive to the other people in your party. Make sure the first dip is sufficient if you want to practice good fondue etiquette.

Use the fondue fork properly.

Since your fondue fork will be repeatedly dipped into the fondue, it should never touch your mouth for sanitary reasons. You can bet your party isn’t going to be appreciative if you enthusiastically bite the coated bread off of your fork and dip it back into the fondue pot. It’s perfectly appropriate to use a second fork to dislodge the bread from the first fork if you’re having problems.

Dip slowly.

Don’t make it a contest to see how many times you can dip into the fondue pot. Eat something before you go to the fondue party or restaurant to avoid being ravenous when you arrive. Fondue should be enjoyed in a slow, relaxed manner.

Don’t use your hands to dip.

Another fundamental rule of fondue etiquette is to always dip with your fondue fork, never your hands. Fondue is usually maintained at a temperature of two hundred degrees or higher which can result in a nasty burn. Not to mention the sanitation issue. They made fondue forks for a reason.

Don’t drop food into the fondue pot.

Accidents do happen but do your best to dip carefully to avoid losing your morsel of bread in the big, hot pot of fondue. An old tradition says that a female who drops her food in the pot has to kiss the man next to her. If you’re female, be sure to sit beside someone good looking! If a man loses his food in the fondue pot, tradition says he must buy a round of drinks for the entire party.

If you’ll be attending your first fondue event, you may want to prepare a pot of fondue and practice before you go in order to be skilled regarding the rules of fondue etiquette. You’ll look like an old pro when you finally get to the party!