Fond of fondue

Picture yourself in a Swiss chalet somewhere in the snowy Alps, dipping fondue with your sweetheart before a roaring fire. It couldn't be more romantic, unless you're also wearing matching sweaters.

Well, it's highly unlikely you're going to get to Europe next week, but you can still celebrate Valentine's Day with fondue. So stoke up the fireplace and pull out those matching sweaters.

In fact, fondue is considered such a romantic meal that Salt Lake City's fondue restaurant, The Melting Pot, is already completely booked for Valentine's Day, said Zac Black, assistant manager. Since the chain restaurant opened its Utah outlet on Market Street almost a year ago, it's been the site of at least five marriage proposals, he added.

In one case, the engagement ring was placed in a bowl filled with rose petals that the server placed in the fondue pot. But Black doesn't advise throwing the ring in the chocolate fondue and hoping she spears it with her fork. "We've had people who want to put the ring in the bread, and that doesn't work very well either," he said.

Those who were around in the '60s and '70s will recall when fondue was wildly popular. When the fad waned, most folks threw their fondue pots out with the go-go boots. The cooking style has enjoyed a resurgence in the past year.

In the past six months, the Orson Gygi cookware store has seen a huge increase in sales of fondue pots, said store manager Burton Vick. "That's about the time you started seeing the restaurants like the Melting Pot opening here, and a lot of Internet sites popping up around the country," he said.

As a nod to fondue, a few local caterers now have a giant "fountain" that spews molten chocolate. Guests just dip in strawberries, marshmallows, etc. Utah Food Services and Culinary Crafts have both used the fountains at local events. Robert Sullivan, chef/owner of Utah Food Services, said the fountain (which cost $3,750) was first used during Christmas parties at the Governor's Mansion, and it was an instant hit. Now it's booked for many upcoming weddings and parties.

"It's a very curious thing for people, and it's a social ice breaker," he said.

Besides being romantic for two, fondue is fun for families and friends. Everyone is actively involved in preparing the food how they like it, and that promotes conversation.