Planning a party and do not really want to sweat it out in the kitchen all the day? Well, then an easy-to-plan, retro chic fondue party will certainly fit the bill. The word fondue is derived from the French verb "fondre" which basically means "to melt". The concept originated in Switzerland where the peasants as well as the nobility used the dried out cheese and stale bread. Over the years, the original recipes have given away to great fondue recipes containing raw meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables cooked in a flavorful broth, wine, beer, or hot oil and served with delicious sauces. Not only are they a great way to celebrate the special occasions but are a great way of bringing together people to socialize, eat, and have lots of fun. So if you are keen on hosting a fondue party, then here are great party ideas to help you on your way. Fondue Party Planning Number of Guests Before you can start planning for the party, zero in on the guest list. This is an essential part of the party as it will determine the number of fondue pots you need, the dinner table arrangements, and the fondue forks or other party supplies that you would need. Plan out the party in such a way that for each fondue pot, there are approximately four guests. This makes it easy for people to graze around whenever they want. Once the guest list is decided, send out the party invitations around two weeks in advance. Fondue Pots and Sets There are a range of fondue pots available in the market, and based on your food choices, you can select the one that is the best for your party. While the cheese and chocolate fondues are best kept in ceramic fondue melting pots, a stainless steel electric fondue pot is an excellent choice for an oil or broth fondue. Most of the sets are accompanied by special fondue forks. Make sure that there are at least two forks for every individual guest. This is because you need to have the guests dip into the pot with the fondue fork and then use a separate fork to slide the bread, meat, or fruit onto a plate before eating it. If the guest list is large, then you can also opt for pre-soaked bamboo and wooden skewers. Also, include a lot of cocktail napkins and great wine to pair with the cheese. Decide the Fondue Party Menu While the cheese fondue is the traditional, classic recipe for the fondue party, you can also try out the three-course party menu with the cheese fondue as the first course, the meat and veggies for the second course, and chocolate fondue to finish off. Here are some great recipes that will help you chart out the three meal courses. First Course: Traditional Cheese Fondue Recipe Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic, halved
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 cups (8 oz) Gruyere cheese, shredded
• 2 cups (8 oz) Emmentaler cheese, shredded
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Kirsch (cherry brandy)
• Pinch ground nutmeg
• Dash hot pepper sauce

How to Make Take a heavy saucepan and rub it with some garlic clove. Add the wine and lemon juice to the pan, and place it over low heat. Once the liquid starts boiling, add handful of cheese and stir constantly to melt it. Now dissolve the cornstarch in the cherry brandy and add to the cheese fondue. Finish off by adding some hot sauce and nutmeg. Keep stirring till the fondue has thickened. Set it in a ceramic fondue pot and serve with dippers Italian bread, apples, broccoli, and steamed potato chunks. Main Course: Fondue Bourguignonne Recipe Ingredients

• 4 cups oil
• salt and pepper
• dipping sauces and cooking spices

How to Make Pour oil into an electric fondue pot and heat the oil to around 350ºF. Now cut the meat into little cubes and place it on wooden skewers or forks. Allow the guests to cook the meat in the hot oil. You can also arrange for some cooking spices for the meat prior to the cooking. Once the meat is cooked, provide dipping sauces like hot pepper sauce or steak sauce for the guests to use. Final Course: Chocolate Fondue Recipe Ingredients

• 250 g of your favorite chocolate
• 250 ml cream

How to Make In a small pot, bring the cream to a boil. Add small pieces of chocolate to the fondue pot and pour in some melted cream on top. Stir in till the chocolate has melted, and let the mixture sit for five to ten minutes. Serve it with great dipping choices such as cheesecake, dried fruits, cubes of fresh fruit such as pineapple, strawberries, bananas, and apples, brownies, angel food cake, and even marshmallows. Team this with some amazing party games and activities to relax and have a great time during this ultimate dinner party experience.