In an effort not to make too many more mistakes, I'm wondering would this be repeating a command and do you think it requires a correction. If so would a verbal or a pop be appropiate?

While feeding I'll place the dogs in sit? Sometimes while throwing out their grub, he or she will break the sit, come over and smell the bowl, If it really smelling good like turkey, ham or beef!!!

I won't repeat the command, but I will say, "What did I just say do"? The dog in question will go back into position in the sit.

Am I being too soft here, I think this is sorta a informal training session, its dinner time, BIG Distraction.
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Well I am no expert but from what I have read, giving permission to eat is part of a safety mechanism as to safeguard against your dogs eating poisen that is thrown towards them. That is just one reason I have heard of why people have their dogs not eat till given permission. Their are other reasons as well that I am not very familiar with.

Don, if your training for sport, I'd say this is unacceptable behavior. In that case I would give a verbal reinforcement of the command when the dog begins to think about breaking the sit. If were talking pet OB, then it's what your willing to accept as an owner.
As far as reasons why to have control over your dog while food is in front of them, I can think of a few. My dogs are such mental cases that I need total strive toward total control. The sit before eating allows me to teach focus to the dog. It's funny how fast dogs can learn when they want something. I have three dogs. If I choose to feed them all together, side by side, they will sit and wait for me to give the eat command and then eat together. If I simply put three bowls of food in the back yard and let all hell break loose, I'll have a dog fight.
I look at it as another small confidence builder for the dogs also. They know what is expected so they are less hectic in the head. With Malinios I need all the help I can get. By the way, I typically don't feed them together because I don't like baby sitting. :rolleyes:

Juila - The poision thing is some thing I really never worked at, I can call them off thing found on a walk or off leash. But I'd better be fast and alert. I got a lot of work to do here.

Scott- 3 Mals wow, now thats a load thats a good trick all three eating together. I'm not training for competition but I still want sharp Ob and control. I'll try the verbal thing and see how things go.

Am I repeating this command, by saying "What did I just say"? They seem to know that I mean go back and sit down. But they don't see it as a verbal reprimand unless I make eye contact.

I wouldn't be overly concerned with whether or not your repeating the command. I would focus more on getting them to understand that the command means plant your butt on the ground and don't move until further notice. When they understand that, you won't have to repeat it or any other phrases. At this point they may think that it's o.k. to break the sit until the second command is given. I would back up alittle and give them a free command after a extended sit under a watchful eye.

Don I don't know how old your dog is and if he is old enough give him a correction. He thinks it is permissible to get up and sniff out dinner. He needs to know that he cannot break the sit command. corrections are not inhumane or cruel to the dog if done correctly. I highly recommend Ed Frawley's tape on basic obedience. That tape will give you a rate of return twentyfold..