Chef Sau del Rosario, one of Manila’s top culinary experts, has cooked for several prestigious hotels and restaurants both here in the Philippines and abroad. We got a chance to chat with him during the launch of Philips' latest appliances line, and he gamely shared a few pantry essentials that are guaranteed to turn a simple meal into a gourmet masterpiece. Check out his recommendations below.

(Photo courtesy of PEP.ph)