If you have attended a wedding reception or company party in the past couple of years, it is likely that there was a chocolate fountain for guests to enjoy. These novelties are definitely a popular choice for gatherings of any size. Small, tabletop models can be purchased for family parties, while large models are usually reserved for convention and wedding groups. Many people who need fountains for special events rent them from party stores, but they can also be provided by the caterers who are hired to provide food service for an event. Even though you will find a chocolate fountain at many predictable events, they are showing up in more and more unusual places.
I recently saw a very large fountain as the centerpiece of a local restaurant’s dessert buffet. Guests couldn’t stay away, and they were dipping both sweet and salty treats into the flowing chocolate. Strawberries seemed to be the most popular dipping fruit, though the apple slices and pineapple chunks also had their devoted fans. In addition to the fruits, the restaurant customers sampled pretzels, marshmallows, graham crackers, and rice cereal treats. The restaurant chocolate fountain required constant oversight by employees so the spatters and spills could be quickly cleaned up. The chocolate also needed to be watched to be sure it was flowing smoothly.
I was further surprised on another occasion when I found a chocolate fountain in the conference room at my office. Our boss had invited a representative from an insurance company to come in for a day to talk with employees about investment opportunities. We were enticed to visit the conference room and sample great chocolate dipped treats throughout the day. I have no doubt that many employees upgraded their insurance coverage and filled out investment paperwork simply because of the proximity of the fountain to the insurance agent. Bridal fairs can additionally provide an ideal venue for highlighting the availability of chocolate fountains.
Local caterers often use fountains to get people to stop by their booth space and inquire about their services. Since most people feel awkward just taking the food and walking away, the caterers are able to talk to many brides and their parents about their reception catering services. Again, the chocolate fountain is the catalyst that invites people to talk about a service they needed. If you decide to use a chocolate fountain at your family party or reception, there are several details you need to consider to be sure the fountain will work the way you want. You must have a level surface so the fountain is stable and will not tip over.
There must also be a grounded power outlet next to where the fountain will sit, and you need to be able to keep the electric cord from hanging loose so your guests do not trip over it. A consideration not many people think about is a source for melting the chocolate. If you have access to a stove top and a double boiler, you can prepare the chocolate before it is poured into the fountain. If you do not have a stove nearby, a microwave will work very well. Regardless of which method you use for melting your chocolate, you will need one person dedicated to watching the process so the chocolate does not burn.
A little vegetable oil needs to be stirred into the melted chocolate to help it flow smoothly through the fountain, so you need a person who will have no other job than to watch the chocolate. Though chocolate fountains are a very common highlight at parties and receptions, we don’t seem to tire of them. They are a delicious and memorable feature, and they also promote mingling and socializing, so it is unlikely they will disappear from our entertainment scenes anytime soon.
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