TIME Magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential People came out this week, and Philly had two representatives: Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, the visionary chef behind Kalaya.
Each winner was the subject of a short essay by another celebrity. Here’s what they had to say.
Jalen Hurts
Hurts’ journey from a promising college quarterback to surprise Eagles draft pick to Super Bowl MVP is inspiring. His leadership helped bring home the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl 59, and his impact goes well beyond stats and highlights. In his TIME profile, baseball legend and general “winner” Derek Jeter captured what makes Hurts special:
“Sometimes people win, then exhale. Jalen is not exhaling. He’s embracing the next challenge. Win or lose, Jalen’s resilience and determination offer all of us something to admire.”
Hurts has also made an impact in Philly by donating $200,000 to buy more than 300 air conditioning units for 10 Philly schools a year ago.
Hurts’ determination and work ethic have never been questioned, but he’s been on teams with a lot of veteran leadership and this past season was marked by the arrival of Saquon Barkley, who had a huge impact on the team and quickly became a fan favorite.
‘Nok’ Suntaranon
Suntaranon has contributed mightily to Philadelphia’s dining landscape with her authentic and inventive Thai cuisine at Kalaya in Fishtown. Recognized by TIME as an “innovator,” Nok’s cooking is deeply personal, reflecting her journey and passion. Fellow Philadelphia chef Michael Solomonov, of Zahav fame, described her as:
“Wild and whimsical, Nok’s food embodies everything she’s gone through and everything she’s worked for, which means her dishes are vibrant, personal, and full of flavor.”
Kalaya has become a must-visit destination for food lovers, and Nok’s influence stretches beyond the kitchen — she’s a James Beard Award winner, cookbook author, and a featured chef on Netflix’s Chef’s Table.
As she told Billy Penn’s Ali Mohsen after winning her Beard Award in 2023:
“I am very competitive, and not in a very quiet way. When I opened Kalaya I was hoping for best new restaurant so bad, so bad. And until today I never gave up, I kept pushing.”
Suntaranon’s recognition is the latest proof of Philadelphia’s place on the global culinary map, showing the world the city’s rich and diverse food culture.
And if you’re looking for a point of intersection in these stories, Billy Penn has one: This story from 2021 about Kalaya’s 60-foot-long hoagies, made specially for the Eagles’ previous Super Bowl appearance.