A cheese fondue set invites you to cook and enjoy together

For many Swiss people, a cheese fondue with family or friends is a key part of a cozy evening. While everyone engages in lively conversation, they enjoy dipping pieces of baguette into melted cheese. To ensure a smooth preparation, it is worthwhile to invest in a cheese fondue set. The A. & J. Stöckli AG offers such sets – along with a variety of accessories.

Cheese Fondue – A Swiss Invention

Although throughout history various peoples had the idea of dipping bread into hot cheese, even the ancient Greeks prepared a meal reminiscent of today’s cheese fondue, its development is attributed to Switzerland.

Two legends explain how cheese fondue in its modern form came to be. According to one story, monks developed the dish. During Lent, when they were not allowed to consume solid food, they simply melted cheese. This way, they did not break the fasting rules and still became full.

The second legend focuses less on the ingredients and more on the communal preparation. It claims that cheese fondue originates from the Kappeler Milchsuppe. This dish is closely linked to a significant event in Swiss history: the First War of Kappel.

In 1529, a religious dispute threatened to divide the Swiss Confederation. Zurich and Bern had already mobilized their troops to fight against the central Swiss cantons. While the leaders of the opposing armies negotiated, the soldiers fraternized. The fighters from Zug brought milk, and Zurich contributed bread. Together, both armies ate the milk soup.

The first recipe for cheese fondue was finally written down in 1699 in the cookbook of Zurich resident Anna Maria Gessner. Over time, cheese fondue became a Swiss national dish and is now part of the country’s identity.

How Does a Cheese Fondue Set Contribute to a Sociable Evening?

When friends are invited to a gathering, the host is usually responsible for providing the food. For a typical dinner, this often involves considerable effort. With a cheese fondue, however, it is a bit different. The host only needs to prepare the cheese mixture in advance.

Guests can easily help with this simple task. They can also take on other duties, such as slicing the baguettes or peeling and cooking the potatoes. In this way, even the preparation of the meal becomes part of the social event.

Shared enjoyment is central to a cheese fondue. It is not about getting full as quickly as possible. Much more important are good conversations, shared laughter, and reliving fond memories. This was the charm of the Kappeler Milchsuppe back then, and today it is one of the pleasures of cheese fondue.

During the meal, each guest can decide for themselves what and when to eat. No one has to wait until others finish the starter before the main course is served.

What a Classic Cheese Fondue Consists Of

An essential component of a cheese fondue is, of course, the cheese. We recommend a mixture of Gruyère and Appenzeller, combined with cornstarch and heated. White wine and lemon juice are added during the preparation. A splash of kirsch, along with pepper and nutmeg, gives the fondue its distinctive aroma.

The bread should be from the day before, as it is drier and absorbs the cheese fondue perfectly. However, other foods can also be dipped into the fondue. In addition to potatoes, various vegetables can be enjoyed as well.

What Does a Cheese Fondue Set Consist Of?

A. & J. Stöckli AG offers a high-quality cheese fondue set. It is available in two versions: black and white. Both sets consist of a Caquelon and six plates, each made of heat-resistant ceramic. They are decorated with motifs of the alpine cattle drive. The Caquelon is suitable for induction cooktops.

In addition, we offer cheese fondue sets with various configurations. Besides the essential Caquelon, each set also includes a Rechaud. This allows you to conveniently heat and keep the cheese fondue warm directly at the table. A paste safety burner ensures a controlled flame. Depending on the model, the Rechaud’s base is made of steel or wood.

In the Avalon cheese fondue set, the Rechaud is even electric. It allows for stepless temperature adjustment. So if the guests want more cheese fondue after a break, it’s easy to restart the Rechaud.

Some sets also include several cheese fondue forks. Guests use them to skewer pieces of bread or other foods before dipping them into the cheese fondue. The forks are also visually coordinated with the respective cheese fondue set.

The Right Accessories for the Cheese Fondue Set

The components of our cheese fondue sets can also be purchased individually. So if you need extra plates, you can find them in our shop. Cheese fondue forks and paste burners are also available separately. Additionally, we offer fuel paste, replacement wicks, and a snuffer cap for the Classic Rechaud.

A heat distribution plate ensures that the Rechaud’s heat is evenly spread. If you plan to use the Rechaud on the terrace or balcony, a wind guard is recommended. Even in strong winds, it prevents the flame from going out.

For a stylish presentation of the fondue ingredients, we offer our original bowl carrier. It holds three glass bowls and can be easily passed from one guest to another. Since the bowls are stackable, they take up very little space when stored.

How to Best Use the Cheese Fondue Set

To enjoy a cheese fondue, the Caquelon must be heated. With A. & J. Stöckli AG’s Caquelons, this can be done in the following ways:

• on the stovetop
• in the oven
• in the microwave
• over an open flame

• chocolate fondue
• meat fondue
• fish fondue

For optimal use, we offer the appropriate accessories. With us, you can get short forks for meat and chocolate fondue. A strainer for fish fondue makes it easy to heat fish and vegetables in the fondue without any problems.

A. & J. Stöckli AG: Noble and High-Quality Kitchen Appliances – and More

The long history of A. & J. Stöckli AG goes back to 1874. Even back then, the company’s founder Alfred Stöckli produced réchauds – among other metal products. The company thrived and became world-famous in 1969 as the inventor of the first portion-sized raclette oven.

Today, our range includes practical kitchen appliances such as the Dörrex and PizzaGrill, as well as watering cans and other useful products made of plastic. Sustainability and environmental protection are particularly important to us in production.

All our items come with a two-year warranty. In addition, we ensure that spare parts are available for at least ten years after purchase. In case of defects, our repair workshop is ready to restore the product as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions about our range or services, we are happy to answer them. Simply use our contact form.