What are some ways you taught table manners to your preschooler?

My 4 year old loves to play with their food and doesn't focus that much on eating. He likes to play and come back to eating. I see nothing wrong with it because I know playing with food is considered a good thing for kids. I figure he needs some kind of stimulation too (right now we are in the house due to the cold).

However my partner hates it. He always tells our child stop playing with the food, what's wrong with you? Etc.

So what are fun ways to teach table manners?