People flock to the first Happy Hong Kong Gourmet Marketplace in droves as the two-day event kicked off at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – Senior Hong Kong officials joined the residents to try out gourmet food with a two-day Happy Hong Kong Gourmet Marketplace kicked off on Saturday.

People thronged booths offering freebies and gourmet food samples at steep discounts at the event at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.

READ MORE: Thousands throng 'Happy Hong Kong' gourmet food fair

With more than 100 stalls, the Gourmet Marketplace offers international delicacies, Chinese cuisines, and local flavors to participants.

There are many delicacies at the food fair. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po speaks at the opening ceremony of the first Happy Hong Kong Gourmet Marketplace at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, April 29, 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKSAR GOVT)

Financial Secretary Paul Chan (first right), accompanied by Non-official Member of the Executive Council, Legislative Council Member (Catering), Tommy Cheung (second right); and Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak (third right), talks with an exhibitor at Gourmet Marketplace at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, April 29, 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKSAR GOVT)

Thousands of people thronged the event. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

The event attracts people from all walks of life. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Financial Secretary Paul Chan (left) prepares milk tea with an exhibitor at the Gourmet Marketplace at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, April 29, 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKSAR GOVT)

Besides offering Chinese cuisines and local flavors to participants, the fair also features international delicacies.(EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Financial Secretary Paul Chan (first left), accompanied by Non-official Member of the Executive Council, Legislative Council Member (Catering), Tommy Cheung (second right); and Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak (second left), tastes food at Gourmet Marketplace at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, April 29, 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY OF HKSAR GOVT)

The first Happy Hong Kong Gourmet Marketplace runs April 29-30, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)