Pottering around in Paris

Friends are mystified and colleagues appalled. The highlight of my Paris trip was a visit to E. Dehillerin, a no-frills bartan ki dukan in the 1st arrondissement, which has been selling professional cookware since 1820. The narrow aisles were lined from floor to ceiling with rough wooden shelves chock-a-block with stuff. I was going potty. I got back this inspiring copper saucepan, from Mauviel. It&rsquos lined with 18/10 stainless steel and is simply the best money can buy. At 103 Euros (Rs 7,500) it&rsquos not cheap. My haul includes a copper sauté pan, a couple of ramekins, garlic press and a cocotte&mdasha traditional enamelled cast iron pot for moist, flavourful cooking. The otherwise amiable crime reporter from Trivandrum accompanying me couldn&rsquot get over it. It&rsquos criminal, he concluded.