Pretend to get in the refrigerator.

Play acting

When he gets hungry enough, he eats what's provided.

and then leaves the room. Can you imagine!?!

Like "you do your thing, I have other important things to tend to."

I adopted a stray cat and he will ONLY drink from a running faucet. I decided this is ridiculous, put out bowls of water and refused to turn the tap on. But then I would turn on the faucet to wash my hands or to do some dishes and he could come out of a DEEP SLEEP and barrel up to the kitchen counter, knocking everything over in his way. He was so FRANTIC to get a drink I was concerned he would be dehydrated so I gave in.

to rub between their paws, but think they should be waited on like royalty and served only the finest.

He climbs on the fridge and knock over the catnip container. He's obsessed with fancy feast tuna treats that are up there

and warm in the microwave a few seconds. Then stir it up and present it as if it's something new. Sometimes they will eat it up, sometimes not.

Any food accidentally left lying about on the ground outside, no matter how stale, gets eaten.
(Yes, he is an ex-stray)

Food served up inside gets eaten, but it has to be fresh and smelly.
Tins that are open have to be lidded to keep the smell in, dry biscuit bags have to be sealed for the same reason.
He won't eat food that has lost that smell.

So it is a three dish rotation system for him, his with fresh food, second with 24 hour old stale food that goes out to the front yard birds, and a third in the washing up.

Am I his servant? (Don't answer that.)