Fondue night

What it is

A relaxed New Year’s Eve for a small group of friends. Everyone gathers around the pot to dip bread in melted cheese, then strawberries in chocolate, with board games in between and a toast at midnight.

Plan ahead

• One week before: borrow or buy a fondue set (electric ones are easiest to control). Plan games.
• The day before: buy the cheese and dippers. Cut vegetables and bread and store in airtight boxes.

Classic cheese fondue (for 4-6)

1. Rub the inside of the pot with a cut clove of garlic.
2. Heat 300ml dry white wine until it steams (don’t boil).
3. Toss 400g grated Gruyère and 200g grated Emmental with 1 tbsp cornflour.
4. Add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring in a figure-of-eight until smooth.
5. Add a splash of kirsch (optional), black pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
6. Keep it on a low heat and stir now and then.

Dippers: cubes of crusty bread (a day old works best), boiled baby potatoes, broccoli, apple slices, cornichons and cooked sausage.

Chocolate fondue

Melt 200g dark chocolate with 150ml double cream and a pinch of salt. Dippers: strawberries, banana, pineapple, marshmallows, brownies, shortbread and pretzels.

Games

• Resolutions guessing: everyone writes a resolution anonymously; read them out and guess who wrote each.
• Year in review quiz: questions about the year’s news, films and songs.
• Card games like rummy or a party game for the group.

Set the scene

A table everyone can reach the pot from, candles, fairy lights, and a playlist of the year’s hits.

Tips

• Tradition says whoever drops their bread in the fondue buys the next bottle (or does a forfeit).
• Keep the chocolate on the lowest heat; it burns quickly.