Free Online Calculators
Cheese, bread & wine for cheese fondue, meat for fondue chinoise
This fondue calculator shows how much cheese, bread, white wine and cornstarch you need for cheese fondue, and how many pots. For fondue chinoise and bourguignonne it works out the meat per person and per type of meat, plus the broth for chinoise. It starts from 7 oz (200 g) of cheese or meat per person.
For cheese fondue, plan 7.1 oz (200 g) of cheese and 7.1 oz (200 g) of bread per person. Four people need 1.8 lb (800 g) of cheese, 11.8 fl oz (350 ml) of dry white wine and one fondue pot. For fondue chinoise, plan 7.1 oz (200 g) of meat per person, or 8.8 oz (250 g) if there is no starter or dessert. Children count as half a portion.
Thanks for your feedback!
| People | Cheese | Bread | White wine | Fondue pots | Meat (chinoise) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | 0.9 lb (400 g) | 0.9 lb (400 g) | 5.1 fl oz (150 ml) | 1 | 0.9 lb (400 g) |
| 4 people | 1.8 lb (800 g) | 1.8 lb (800 g) | 11.8 fl oz (350 ml) | 1 | 1.8 lb (800 g) |
| 6 people | 2.6 lb (1.2 kg) | 2.6 lb (1.2 kg) | 16.9 fl oz (500 ml) | 2 | 2.6 lb (1.2 kg) |
| 8 people | 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) | 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) | 23.7 fl oz (700 ml) | 2 | 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) |
| 10 people | 4.4 lb (2.0 kg) | 4.4 lb (2.0 kg) | 28.7 fl oz (850 ml) | 3 | 4.4 lb (2.0 kg) |
| 12 people | 5.3 lb (2.4 kg) | 5.3 lb (2.4 kg) | 1.1 qt (1.0 l) | 3 | 5.3 lb (2.4 kg) |
| 15 people | 6.6 lb (3.0 kg) | 6.6 lb (3.0 kg) | 1.4 qt (1.3 l) | 4 | 6.6 lb (3.0 kg) |
| 20 people | 8.8 lb (4.0 kg) | 8.8 lb (4.0 kg) | 1.8 qt (1.7 l) | 5 | 8.8 lb (4.0 kg) |
| 25 people | 11.0 lb (5.0 kg) | 11.0 lb (5.0 kg) | 2.3 qt (2.2 l) | 7 | 11.0 lb (5.0 kg) |
| 30 people | 13.2 lb (6.0 kg) | 13.2 lb (6.0 kg) | 2.7 qt (2.6 l) | 8 | 13.2 lb (6.0 kg) |
Plan 7.1 oz (200 g) of cheese per person when fondue is the main course, so 1.8 lb (800 g) for 4 people. Add 7.1 oz (200 g) of bread per person and about 11.8 fl oz (350 ml) of dry white wine per pot of four. As a starter, about half of that is enough.
For cheese fondue, one pot serves 4 people: the classic Swiss recipes melt 1.8 lb (800 g) of cheese with about 11.8 fl oz (350 ml) of wine in one caquelon. For 10 guests you need 3 pots, 4.4 lb (2.0 kg) of cheese and 4.4 lb (2.0 kg) of bread.
Enter the number of adults and children and choose your type of fondue. Children count as half a portion. For cheese fondue, the calculator works out the cheese, bread, white wine and cornstarch and tells you how many pots (caquelons) you need. For fondue chinoise (meat in broth) and fondue bourguignonne (meat in oil), it calculates the meat, split across several types if you like, plus the broth for fondue chinoise. Cheese, bread and meat are rounded up in steps of 3.5 oz (100 g), and the wine is rounded to the nearest 1.7 fl oz (50 ml).
At a meat fondue, every guest cooks one piece at a time, the meal stretches out, and you feel full sooner. That’s why guides plan for less meat than at a barbecue. If you offer several kinds, such as beef, veal, chicken and pork, simply split the total; the calculator shows you the amount for each type.
There’s no sensible per-person amount for the oil, because it depends on the pot. Fill it no more than halfway so nothing boils over or spatters, and use an oil with a high smoke point, such as refined canola or sunflower oil.