Regular patrons of the Westin Bund Center Shanghai's Prego will be disconsolate to know the Italian restaurant's native chef Dario Congera has said "ciao" after about four years with the property. The Liguria native is moving to Taipei again to further authentic Italian fare at the Shangri-la Far Eastern Plaza Hotel.

While he may already have checked out of the Henan Road hotel, diners can still get a taste of what he was known for with this month's white asparagus menu featuring the exquisite vegetable.

The lily differs from its meatier green counterpart as it was deprived of light as it grew.

As a result, the plant was unable to produce chlorophyll (which gives plants their color) and is slightly milder in taste and more tender.

"White asparagus represents the start of spring, a lovely season," said Congera, whose wife is Taiwanese. "It is very easy to use for everything from salads to soup. Sometimes, if you have really good ones, you can even eat it raw."

The Italian went on to explain that the humble stalk was popular across the continent and in particular his own country. "White asparagus has its roots in Egypt, then Greece then Germany. Now it is enjoyed all over Italy, but mainly in the North."

In keeping with Prego's theme of offering fare from all over the country, the restaurant's white asparagus promotion offers five dishes capturing a snapshot of Italian fare in general.