On the shelf

1 Pastry chefs have long relied on silicon-coated mats for baking and candy-making; they can withstand super-high temperatures, nothing sticks to them and they're virtually indestructible. Even better, they're reusable - if they get sticky, they just need to be washed in soapy water. PanHandler, in the Prince's Building, Central (tel: 2523 1672), sells Matfer Exopat mats in several sizes (they can also be trimmed using a razor-sharp utility knife), starting at HK$215.

2 Crystal Hot Sauce isn't nearly as well known as Tabasco but it has avid fans who won't use anything else, especially for making buffalo wings. Made from aged red cayenne peppers, distilled vinegar and salt, it sells for HK$20 for a 177ml bottle at Oliver's in the Prince's Building (tel: 2810 7710).

3 Tartaric acid is used to make confectionary (such as pates de fruits) and cordials, to add acidity and to prevent discolouration. The acid, found naturally in many fruits (tartaric acid crystals sometimes form in bottles of wine), is difficult to source, though - it's usually carried only by specialist confectionary suppliers - but we found McKenzie's tartaric acid (HK$24.40 for 75 grams) at Great, in Pacific Place, Admiralty (tel: 2918 9986).