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More on “bishul akum” — the rabbinic prohibition against eating food cooked by a non-Jew. But anything that can be eaten raw isn’t subject to the prohibition – or, that’s what was taught in Sura. In Pompedita, they said the more subjective stipulation – namely, that which was not fit or a king’s table was not subject to bishul akum. But there’s another practical difference – namely, foods that are not eaten raw, but also are not elegant dining. The Gemara’s discussion leads into considerations of what the main food is, as compared to accompaniments. Also, when Jews and non-Jews both cook together — say, when a Jew puts meat on the coals, and a non-Jew turns the meat: is that permitted? It seems to depend on how involved the non-Jew was in the cooking. Is he expediting the cooking or making it happen?

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