Baking legends Margaret Fulton and Maggie Beer have been chosen to feature on this year’s official Australia Day stamps, alongside culinary celebrities Stephanie Alexander, Neil Perry and Kylie Kwong.

The 2014 Australia Post Legends Award recognised the five visionaries for their influence over Australia’s food culture.

Cook, food author, television personality and food manufacturer Maggie Beer said she was a sentimentalist at heart who had kept every letter her mother wrote her while overseas.

“So being on a stamp makes me very proud. There have been so many parts of my life that I’ve had to pinch myself about and this is one of them,” she said.

“It’s also a little confronting when I’m going to see it on every bill that comes in. I hope I can convince some of my family to write me letters.”

Margaret Fulton, who has authored more than 15 cookbooks including the comprehensive baking bible, Margaret Fulton Baking said it was an honour to be included in such esteemed company.

“I’m getting older and it’s a lovely feeling to say that you’ve wound up on a stamp,” she said.

About half a million of the 60c stamps will be sold individually, in a book of 10 for $6, or as a first-day cover with a set of maxi cards along with a commemorative book titled Australian Legends of Cooking.

Australia Post managing director Ahmed Fahour said this year’s award celebrates five Australians who have played a key role in the emergence of a sophisticated local food culture.

“These five individuals have taught Australians to appreciate our abundant fresh ingredients and to embrace the flavours of multiculturalism,” Mr Fahour said.

“They are not just cooks, but business-minded authors, teachers, TV personalities and restaurateurs. For this, they truly deserve the title Australian Legend.”

Australia Post initiated the Australia Post Australian Legends Awards in 1997 to honour living Australians who have inspired the community and influenced the way Australians think about themselves and their country.