Cooks stirred 1,500 pounds of fondue.
Photo: Peter Foley
Swiss food maker Emmi wanted to make a statement, and on Wednesday they did just that, giving away more than 2,800 pounds of fondue to unsuspecting visitors at the World Financial Center. The goal was to educate consumers and the press about Swiss culture and Swiss cheese—in preparation for the holiday season—so there was also a yodeling contest and an alphorn serenade. (The alphorn is the national instrument of Switzerland.)
The idea for the stunt was sparked back in February, when Artisanal chef-owner Terrence Brennan hosted a fondue event using Gruyère from Wisconsin. "We felt we had to answer the call," said Daniel Schnyder, head of special projects for Emmi. To do so, Emmi imported a 317-gallon fondue pot (measuring more than three feet high, with a five-foot diameter) from Switzerland, as well as the stand to hold and heat it. Because the pot runs on European power standards, they also had to secure a transformer to ensure it would work.To minimize potential weather problems, the event was held inside; Emmi chose the Winter Garden in part for its play on words. (The idea of a winter garden seemed evocative of Switzerland, Schnyder said.) Lunching business-types, moms, and shoppers lined up for a taste of the cheese, which was ladeled into chunks of holed-out french bread. Other stations supplied samples of Emmi's yogurt and new iced coffee drink. Emmi also hosted a V.I.P. fondue lunch for the 15 cheesemakers who supplied the cheese, all of whom were brought from Switzerland for the event.
The idea for the stunt was sparked back in February, when Artisanal chef-owner Terrence Brennan hosted a fondue event using Gruyère from Wisconsin. "We felt we had to answer the call," said Daniel Schnyder, head of special projects for Emmi. To do so, Emmi imported a 317-gallon fondue pot (measuring more than three feet high, with a five-foot diameter) from Switzerland, as well as the stand to hold and heat it. Because the pot runs on European power standards, they also had to secure a transformer to ensure it would work.To minimize potential weather problems, the event was held inside; Emmi chose the Winter Garden in part for its play on words. (The idea of a winter garden seemed evocative of Switzerland, Schnyder said.) Lunching business-types, moms, and shoppers lined up for a taste of the cheese, which was ladeled into chunks of holed-out french bread. Other stations supplied samples of Emmi's yogurt and new iced coffee drink. Emmi also hosted a V.I.P. fondue lunch for the 15 cheesemakers who supplied the cheese, all of whom were brought from Switzerland for the event.
