KEEL Vodka and former New England Patriots player Matt Light have launched The Lift Your Spirits Challenge to raise funds for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's Employee Relief Fund. Homebound cocktail fans are encouraged to show how they make and enjoy their favorite tipples, then donate what they would have tipped a bartender for the same drink.

Mother Los Angeles created an #OrderLocal campaign for Postmates that features celebrities urging viewers to support local restaurants by ordering takeout during the coronavirus pandemic. Among the stars who talk about their favorite local eateries via self-filmed video footage are Mindy Kaling, Cara Delevingne, Mario Lopez and Tiffany Haddish.

Chipotle Mexican Grill isn't putting new menu item development on hold but it is postponing release plans until after the pandemic. New items in the works include brisket and cauliflower rice, CEO Brian Niccol said.

H.E. Butt Grocery has joined with several local restaurants in San Antonio to sell fully packaged meals, with the proceeds going back to the restaurants. The grocer is also taking new steps to limit the number of shoppers allowed in its stores at a time to help with social distancing efforts.

Restaurant chains that are pausing planned promotions and ad campaigns are instead devoting more resources to community causes during the pandemic. KFC is giving franchisees extra chicken to donate in their communities and Taco Bell is backing "No Kid Hungry" and using its Taco Trucks to feed health care workers.

Chef Curtis Stone is transforming his Los Angeles businesses into markets to help feed locals during the coronavirus pandemic. Fine dining restaurant Maude and wood-fired eatery and butcher shop Gwen are offering comfort food for takeout and delivery and are teaming up with suppliers to sell produce and pantry staples.

Longtime Denver restaurateurs Lee Goodfriend and David Racine will reopen Racine's after the pandemic, but only to give the eatery's many fans a chance to say goodbye before they close for good and retire on Jan. 15, 2021. The duo, along with the late Dixon Staples, built a trio of Denver restaurants that over time became part of the Mile High City's history.

David Chang's perspective on the ways the coronavirus outbreak could reshape the restaurant industry topped this week's list of most-read food and beverage stories. Pandemic-related news dominated the list, including stories of some restaurants making the decision to close and others opting to beef up takeout and delivery offerings with grocery items.

Chefs are using smoke to add subtle, interesting flavor to a range of dishes, from ice cream to hummus, and the technique is an increasingly popular way to add depth to plant-based dishes. "Chefs who are successful with smoke in plant-based applications are often employing the same techniques that they'd use with meat, like a plank of butternut squash, for instance, smoked over some kind of wood," culinary consultant Andrew Hunter said.

The CARES Act, the government's coronavirus relief package, is making low-cost loans available to you to help get you through the economic hardship caused by the pandemic. Tips to apply.

If you need to close down your restaurant or foodservice operation until the coronavirus runs its course, do it safely so you are ready to reopen your stores. Read the full story.