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Guy Fieri, National Restaurant Association launch relief fund for restaurant workers, offer $500 grants

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Celebrity chef Guy Fieri has partnered with the National Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation to offer grants for America’s out-of-work restaurant workers amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“They’ve been serving us for years, in the restaurant business. Let’s serve them,” Fieri said during a Monday appearance on Fox and Friends.

11 PERCENT OF RESTAURANTS MAY CLOSE IN NEXT 30 DAYS, SURVEY FINDS

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) announced the initiative Friday, confirming that Fieri would be leading the fundraising drive for its Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF). Under the program, food service workers would be able to apply for grants of $500 each to put towards housing, groceries, medical costs or other living expenses while out of work.

“It’s an industry that’s really people-driven,” Fieri said. “And a lot of these folks are living paycheck to paycheck. Not many of them are salaried; a lot of them are hourly. A very hard-hit group… they’re the ones that are really paying the price.”

As of Monday morning, Fieri said the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund had already received $8.3 million in donations toward its $100 million goal.

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Fieri added that one of the “great things” about the program — which is formally called Restaurant Relief America — is that anyone who donates can be sure their entire donation is going straight to those who need it most.

(Fox News)

“One hundred percent of the donations go directly to the employees,” Fieri said. “There’s not going to be administration fees, there’s no BS, there’s no red tape.”

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Fieri said that roughly 3 million food service workers were currently out of work amid the COVID-19 health crisis, while the National Restaurant Association estimates that up to 5 of 7 million, total, may be out of work in the coming months.

“In the face of this pandemic, we are asking the nation to join us in protecting vulnerable restaurant workers through your generous financial support,” said Rob Gifford, president of the NRAEF, in a press release. “Please donate online immediately at RERF.US so we can help those in need.”

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Impacted restaurant workers can apply for grants starting April 2. Those wishing to donate, or apply, can learn more at RERF.us.

2021 Genesis G80 sedan debuts online as coronavirus shuts car shows

Car shows may be getting canceled, but the parade of new models carries on.

(Genesis)

Genesis was expected to debut its new 2021 G80 sedan adjacent to the now-postponed New York Auto Show in April, but has revealed it on the internet ahead of planned sales in the second half of this year.

(Genesis)

The midsize four-door sports the same styling language as its recently-introduced GV80 SUV, with a shield-shaped grille and “Quad Lamp” split lighting clusters front and rear.

(Genesis)

The interior features open-pore wood, leather trim, a 3D digital instrument cluster, 14.5-inch touchscreen display and overall dramatic styling aimed at competing with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5-Series. Front seats equipped with seven adjustable air bladders that provide a stretching function are among the available luxury options.

J.D. POWER NAMES GENESIS MOST DEPENDABLE AUTO BRAND

Power comes from a choice of 300 hp turbocharged four-cylinder or 375 hp turbocharged V6. High tech driver aids include a lane-keeping system that can also change lanes when you hit the turn signal and an adaptive cruise control that learns how each owner likes to drive and modifies its operation to suit.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but the 2020 G80 starts at $43,575.

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Nonprofit says older dogs need fostering amid coronavirus crisis, offers to pay the costs

Exclusive: Fostering a senior dog in the time of coronavirus

Erin Stanton, owner of Susie’s Senior Dogs, is stepping up to help elderly dogs by covering the cost of fostering them during the coronavirus pandemic. She talks to Fox News about why senior dogs are in need and how we can help during isolation.

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Amid the escalating coronavirus pandemic, Erin Stanton, owner of Susie’s Senior Dogs (SSD), is stepping up to help elderly pets by covering the cost of fostering them.

“I figured a strong incentive to get these senior dogs into homes right now would be paying for everything,” said Stanton.

BUSCH OFFERING 3 MONTHS WORTH OF BEER TO ANYONE WILLING TO FOSTER A DOG

Stanton started SSD in 2014, and has been raising awareness and money for senior dogs ever since. COVID-19, however, provided new challenges for the plight of elderly dogs.

In an interview with Fox News, she explained that there is a greater need to get dogs out of shelters during the COVID-19 crisis. That’s because of limited volunteers, and the lessened ability for people to go to shelters and adopt. In turn, dogs receiving limited walks and care. It was a call to action for Stanton.

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“If someone is home and they have the time to foster, but maybe they lost their job and, you know, they can’t afford it … I didn’t want money to be the deterrent,” said Stanton. “So if they can’t afford to foster.… I thought, why don’t I remove all those barriers, and then hopefully it will lead to more seniors getting into foster homes right now.”

According to SSD’s March 16 Facebook post, the offer stands for “anyone in the United States who will be home from work/school/life for the foreseeable future and will have some time to foster a dog.”

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Stanton says that her typical classification of a senior dog is one that’s at least 7 years old, but she’s lowering it to 6 for this particular initiative. She notes that senior dogs are most likely already trained and require one big walk per day, as opposed to younger dogs who require upwards of an hour or two of exercise.

“It’s amazing to bring home a dog that has a few years on them,” said Stanton. “At the end of the day, it feels really good to know that you’re giving a home to a dog, or fostering a dog that a lot of people would reject.”

For more on Susie’s Senior Dogs, watch the full interview with owner Erin Stanton above.

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Emily DeCiccio is a video producer and reporter for Fox News Digital Originals. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyDeCiccio. 

Man tips delivery driver with toilet paper during coronavirus: ‘You’re a hero’

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Keep the change – and the toilet paper.

A TikTok user has gone viral for generously tipping a delivery driver with TP during the coronavirus pandemic. The must-have household essential has remained in high demand as people are holed up indoors during the ongoing outbreak.

Earlier this month, TikTokker @Evaneramagic posted a feel-good video of his gratuity for a delivery driver who dropped off a package at his house, in a clip that has since gone viral with over 3.9 million views.

MOM’S TOILET PAPER STOCKPILE RUINED BY PLAYING KIDS, IMAGE SHOWS

After leaving the order, the driver oohed over Evan Era’s generous display of toilet paper 12-packs and bottles of hand sanitizer on the front porch, accompanied by a sign reading, “Delivery drivers: Take it if you need it! Thank you for your hard work.”

The messenger knocked on the door to confirm he could take a TP pack and gel sanitizer, and expressed his thanks for the thoughtful gesture.

“Aw man, you a lifesaver, thank you,” the courier told the camera. “I went to Walmart, it’s kind of hard, though… I didn’t get no toilet paper… thank you, man.”

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In the days since, TikTok users have shared a whole lot of love for both Evan Era’s good deed and the driver’s sincere gratitude.

“This is what we’re supposed to do during a crisis. Help each other like this!!” one commenter said.

“He seemed so grateful,” another agreed of the messenger.

“You’re a hero,” one said.

“Take care of the people who are taking care of you. Stay safe my friends,” Evan Era captioned the now-viral clip, adding the hashtags #SmallGestures and #HappyAtHome.

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Though bidet sales are reportedly spiking during the ongoing outbreak, toilet paper remains a universal must-have for millions of American households. In a bid to cash in on the craze, food-serving establishments in Illinois, Wisconsin, Los Angeles and Arizona have found creative ways to peddle two-ply during the pandemic.

Overseas, toilet paper has apparently become so coveted that a German bakery has been producing hundreds of playful toilet paper-inspired cakes per day.

Coronavirus self-isolation: How to have a dinner party during quarantine

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Eating together is how many people come together with friends, family, coworkers or sometimes even strangers to share a meal and talk about the day.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways around the physical barriers by using video chat services.
(iStock)

But when self-isolation and social distancing become the new normal amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic, how do you eat with your loved ones?

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Virtual dinner parties

Getting creative is the name of the game when you want to spend time with others, but can’t do so physically because of quarantine.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways around the physical barriers by using video chat services like Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, FaceTime or other video conferencing apps. Most of these have conference functions, so you can see everyone’s face on the same screen.

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To host a flawless virtual dinner party, choose a time all of your friends can log-on and set up the camera at the head of the dinner table, to strike the right ambiance. You might want to go a step further and design a menu or drink list, for an extra special touch.

Make the same meal

Just because you can’t eat in the same room, doesn’t mean you can’t eat the same meal.

Choose a recipe for your group of friends or family members to make at the same time. During the cooking process, you can even video chat, or use a group thread, to keep everyone up-to-date on how it’s going.

If cooking is not your strong suit (try these tips if that’s the case), another option is to order delivery from the same restaurant. That way, you can share a meal without sharing a space.

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Social-distancing dinner

If you live close enough to your friends or family – like across the street – you can host a social-distance dinner by eating at the edge of your driveway or stoop, while your friends indulge if their own home-cooked meals outside their respective residences.

Neighborhoods around the U.S. have engaged in versions of this, such as staging social-distancing parties for younger kids, where friends will stand outside of their homes and wave and communicate face-to-face, but a safe at least 6 feet apart. Others have been setting up social-distancing block parties, where neighbors set up lawn chairs feet away from each other and talk.

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Then again, if you don’t feel like bothering with family and friends, and would rather eat alone, that’s OK too. Just be sure to follow the best practices for getting takeout during the pandemic.

What is ‘whipped coffee’ and why is everyone drinking it during self-isolation?

No Starbucks? No problem.

Thanks to social distancing, the universe for many Americans has shrunk down to the size of their living space. That’s not a bad thing when it comes to controlling the pandemic, but it’s a shaky time for coffee lovers. Self-isolation is synonymous with “no Starbucks,” and honestly, we’re a little lost.

So, what’s a coffee devotee to do? Whipped coffee, a new social media trend, is going viral for good reason — and it just might solve your dilemma.

What Is whipped coffee?

We raised our eyebrows at first, too, but this stuff — made from instant coffee, sugar and hot water — looks absolutely delicious. So if you’re missing your favorite drinks, especially if they’re sugary or creamy, it’s worth giving it a try.

More From Taste of Home

The trend started in South Korea as people looked for ways to virtually connect, but it’s been popularized by TikTok users in America, as well. (Oh, and if you haven’t heard of TikTok, it’s a platform where users can share short videos.)

How do I make whipped coffee at home?

Whipped coffee is really simple: It’s equal parts (typically 2 tablespoons) coffee, sugar and hot water. You probably have most of those ingredients lying around, and the process of whipping it up is extremely straightforward.

To make, mix all of the ingredients in a bowl for around 20 minutes until the mixture forms peaks. Many users are whisking by hand, but you could use a hand mixer, too.

Once the whipped coffee is thick and frothy, add it to a glass filled with milk and ice, then enjoy!

Timmy Hill wins virtual Texas NASCAR race

Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead sang the national anthem from a remote location. Troy Aikman, borrowing Matthew McConaughey’s trademark phrase “Alright, alright, alright,” commanded drivers to start their, uh, simulators.

NASCAR’s new normal resumed Sunday with another virtual event, the second in an iRacing series thrown together after the coronavirus pandemic stopped nearly all sports. NASCAR’s 36-race season was suspended four events into the year.

Timmy Hill won the virtual race at Texas Motor Speedway, where a highlight came when Daniel Suarez was parked by iRacing officials for intentionally trying — but failing — to crash Ty Dillon.

Hill is considered among the top competitors in iRacing, a subscription-based gaming platform. His virtual victory was his 674th in the game.

Fox Sports again used its team of Mike Joy and Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon to call the race, which was aired both on Fox in some markets and nationwide on its cable channel.

The first iRacing event last Sunday drew 903,000 viewers to Fox Sports One and was the most watched esports event in U.S. history, bettering the 770,000 viewers Mortal Combat drew to The CW in 2016. That led Fox to offer affiliates the option to air the Texas virtual race on broadcast.

Those who tuned in watched a live video game of 35 NASCAR racers competing at an exact replica of Texas Motor Speedway, where the series was scheduled to be Sunday before the coronavirus shutdown. Fox was able to obtain feeds of drivers racing on simulators everywhere from their bedrooms, basements, garages and, in the case of last week’s winner, Denny Hamlin’s living room.

Clint Bowyer was the in-race reporter again, but when the booth cut to him to ask about an early race incident, he gave a quick update and shooed Joy and Gordon away.

“You guys are bothering me, sorry,” Bowyer said.

Alex Bowman again entertained fans via social media with commentary. It included his tweet “I just virtually drove through somebody,” after a wreck. Bowman also missed his pit stall, was speeding on pit road, bemoaned his need for a snack and ultimately decided “I’m a disaster.”

Chase Elliott, racing in striped socks, posted a video during a commercial break of his feet working the pedals. Michael McDowell talked fans through his pit decisions. With racing on hold and drivers desperate to give exposure to their teams and sponsors, Hill’s virtual victory gave the NASCAR journeyman a rare live opportunity to thank his sponsors, the staple speech of any successful racer.

The Texas event was done with a fixed setup and drivers used varying levels of rigs. Hamlin’s, at more than $40,000, is one of the most advanced in the field, with motion sensors and premium technology. Alternatively, Fox showed Garrett Smithley racing with a wheel and a computer at a desk, under a framed poster of Richard Petty, in what appeared to be Smithley’s bedroom.

With nothing else to do, Texas track President Eddie Gossage tweeted live during the race, joking he was going to bill Christopher Bell for virtually tearing up the grass and paint with a spin through the infield. Gossage also continued Texas’ tradition of awarding mid-race prizes to fans — even though his speedway is currently closed.

IndyCar made its iRacing debut Saturday in a race entered by 25 drivers and won by Sage Karam. NASCAR seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson was a special guest in the race as he works toward an obvious IndyCar debut. He’d been scheduled to test a car in Alabama next month before the coronavirus shutdown.

SAGE KARAM WINS FIRST INDYCAR IRACING CHALLENGE RACE

NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA and many of of Formula One’s drivers are using iRacing as a tool to keep their skills sharp during this pause, and now iRacing has seized on the popularity of esports and absence of live sporting events to create events for the idled leagues.

IRacing is one of the very few professional sports that can come close to delivering a decent show because of the granular detail and precise rendering of each NASCAR track. The venues are laser-scanned to capture the bumps and imperfections in the asphalt, as well as duplicate the grandstands and billboards and pit lane.

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Dad bans son from house after he went on spring break trip amidst coronavirus pandemic

Looks like the party’s definitely over.

A father in New York reportedly banned his son from the family home after the college student went on a spring break trip amidst the coronavirus pandemic. According to the father, it’s just too risky.

“I spoke with (my son) every day (on his trip) and told him that maybe they should come home,” Peter Levine told the New York Post. “I was aggravated. The news here was getting worse and worse. Matt sent me pictures of him and his friends congregating outdoors and listening to live music. It’s the scene you would not want to be in.”
(iStock)

Peter Levine, from Nanuet, N.Y., advised his 21-year-old son Matt against going to South Padre Island in Texas for Spring Break, the New York Post reports. While on the trip, Matt reportedly sent his father pictures showing him in situations that could have exposed him to the virus.

BOY WRITES IN JOURNAL ABOUT MOM’S HOMESCHOOLING ATTEMPT DURING CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK: ‘IT IS NOT GOING GOOD’

“I spoke with him every day and told him that maybe they should come home,” Peter told the New York Post. “I was aggravated. The news here was getting worse and worse. Matt sent me pictures of him and his friends congregating outdoors and listening to live music. It’s the scene you would not want to be in.”

Matt and his friends apparently had trouble getting home amidst the pandemic. Their return flight to New York was reportedly rerouted to Tennessee after reports of a coronavirus case at LaGuardia.

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When Matt finally made it back to his father’s house, he apparently found his car full of groceries.

“His grandparents live here and there is no need to expose them to god knows what he had been exposed to,” Peter explained.

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Matt ultimately returned to his off-campus apartment near Springfield College in Massachusetts (which has closed campus due to the outbreak), but his lease ends in June, the New York Post reports. After that, his father isn’t sure where he’ll end up after that.

Couple exchange Burger King onion rings after coronavirus cancels wedding

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When one couple’s wedding was canceled at the last minute due to the coronavirus outbreak, they turned to a king.

Burger King.

A couple from England had their wedding plans upended when their venue closed only a few hours before the wedding, leaving them with almost no options. Fortunately, they were still able to exchange rings, even if they were onion rings.

Adam Woods and Laura Acton say that after their wedding was canceled hours before it was set to begin because of the coronavirus outbreak, they ended up exchanging onion rings at a Burger King instead.
(iStock)

Adam Woods and Laura Acton had saved for their wedding for several years after Woods proposed back in 2017, the Sun reports. On the Friday night before their Saturday wedding, however, the venue closed down after England enacted strict social distancing policies.

SHOULD COUPLES CANCEL OR POSTPONE WEDDINGS DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS?

Distraught, the couple still decided to head to Liverpool, where they planned on honeymooning. On the way, they say stopped at Burger King.

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According to the Sun, Acton said, “We hadn’t eaten anything since Friday night because we felt so sick, so we stopped off at Burger King on the way to Liverpool. Adam ordered some onion rings and when he came back to the car, he told me to put them on and said we can still exchange rings. You just had to laugh. We can still laugh through this as we have each other. If you sit and cry the whole time, you’re only going to make yourself feel worse.”

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The couple now says that they’re trying to figure out what to do next. They say the venue offered to postpone the date, but they have not been offered a refund. Acton says she thinks it may be years before she can coordinate another wedding date.

Busch to give ‘3 months’ of beer to people that adopt or foster a dog during coronavirus pandemic

Dogs may be man’s best friend and beer is also his good buddy.

As more and more people are practicing social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, animal shelters and rescue centers have had to close their doors to visitors. Fortunately, some companies are taking steps to ensure that needy dogs don’t get forgotten about during the outbreak.

Busch Beer is teaming up with Midwest Animal Rescue to help get dogs fostered and adopted. To help incentivize people into bringing a furry friend home, the beer company is offering a prize they call “Busch Beer for 3 months.”

“During these uncertain and lonelier times, people need an escape: cue the cute puppy memes and photos,” a spokesperson for Busch in a statement to People. “But as much as we need those cute puppy pics to help get us through social distancing, it’s actually them who need us.”

PUPPIES FROM GEORGIA ANIMAL SHELTER VISIT AQUARIUM DURING CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN

The rules for the promotion are fairly simple: adopt or foster a dog through Midwest Animal Rescue and then send the proof to Busch through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (users must also follow Busch on the social network).

Busch will be providing up to 500 winners with a pre-paid debit card worth $100. Busch will be accepting submissions through April 25th.

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“Social distancing is better with a furry friend by your side and a cold beer in your hand,” a spokesperson for Busch told People.

Based on what’s happening in New York City, Busch shouldn’t have a shortage of entrances.

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Fox News reported that animal shelters in New York City have seen an uptick in adoptions and fosters during the coronavirus pandemic. Many shelters have even reported that they are almost out of cats and dogs due to the increased demand.

Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.