In a time of classes being cut, small funds and struggling programs, at least one SF State department is thinking outside the box in regards to keeping their own program alive, and they didn't need any on-board life jackets.

Aboard the lavish San Francisco Belle at Pier 3 on Embarcadero, SF State's Hospitality and Tourism Management students and faculty served nearly 500 hundred people as they wined, dined and enjoyed delicious samples of the Bay Area's finest food and beverage at this year's 13th annual Taste of the Bay fundraiser Wednesday night.

With the gracious donated services and treats of 18 wineries and 21 restaurants, Taste of the Bay was an event to prevent any cuts or negative impact within the HTM department.

"This is going to save our classes and help us with scholarships," said MTM student Holly Haber, 21.

Restaurants included Anchor & Hope, Lark Creek Steak, Macarthur Park and Berkeley's very own bar Triple Rock Brewery. The night also included raffle drawings, silent auctions and the soothing sounds of a young jazz trio.

For the last three years, Taste of the Bay has been held at San Francisco's Yacht Club, but decided to make a change this time around which evidently helped in the event's benefit.

"Compared to our event last time, it's a lot better than last year," said Olivia Penn, 22, event chair and HTM student. "There's a much a higher quality of food and the night's been amazing."

Part of the evening's event was also to save SF State's on campus restaurant, the Vista Room, from going out of business.

The evening's turnout was a pleasant surprise for everyone that came out to help the cause.

"I didn't know it was going to be this big," said student and first time volunteer Saraly LaCayo, 23. "Other programs don't have events like this, so it's really nice that it's helping us out."