feeding time

Question
Why does my male orange tabby (Charlie) insist that someone is by his side petting him during feeding time?  Most times if there is no one there to pet him he will not even approach his bowl, but wait for someone to pass by.  If you stop to pet him, then quit he will stop eating.  Is this common behavior? How can we break him of this habit?

Answer
Hi Michael,

This is a new one to me! I've never heard of a kitty doing this before! What is his background? (ie: is he from a shelter, have you had him since he was a kitten?)

It sounds really cute, but I can see where it would get frustrating after a while :) Is he like this with all food, or will he eat treats or special food without petting?