A state appeals court has propelled toward trial a half-million-dollar lawsuit brought by celebrity chef Todd English over unpaid royalties tied to a cookware deal with a company that terminated its agreement with him after he became embroiled in controversies ranging from sexual harassment claims to being sued for $270,000 in unpaid legal fees.

In an opinion that largely weighed the company’s delay in terminating the licensing agreement against contract provisions and certain doctrines of law, the Appellate Division, First Department court denied English’s motion asking that he be granted summary judgment on his breach-of-contract claim and it denied request for dismissal of the company’s counterclaim against him for breach of contract.