They are used to making people lick their lips, but now they’ll be licking their stamps after five of Australia’s most celebrated chefs were honoured by Australia Post.

Culinary greats Margaret Fulton, Maggie Beer, Kylie Kwong, Neil Perry and Stephanie Alexander have been selected for this year’s Australian Legends stamp collection, unveiled on Friday at a special Australia Day lunch at Sydney’s Luna Park.

The chefs were also presented with a 24-carat gold replica of their stamps.

“It’s surreal seeing yourself on a stamp,” said Kwong.

“It’s a great honour and I’m just so touched. It makes me want to do more for this country.”

Reflecting on her career as the matriarch of Australian cookery, Fulton said she never expected to see herself on a stamp.

“I’m still shocked by the enormity of what’s happened,” she said.

Australia Post CEO Ahmed Fahour said the chefs had all contributed to shaping Australia’s palate.

“They have taught Australians to appreciate our abundant fresh ingredients and to embrace the flavours of multiculturalism,” he said.

Fulton said celebrating Australia’s achievements, whether it be food or otherwise, brought people together.

“I think it’s very important to celebrate what you’ve got … to celebrate your country and what it means to you and what it means to everybody else,” she said.