Hamburgers might seem like a stretch for a family famous for chocolate.

But Michael and Laurence Gottlieb are trying to change that perception, one juicy bite at a time. The Savannah brothers, who own the recently resurrected Gottlieb's Bakery, are vying for a shot to cook their newest creation at a James Beard Foundation Food Conference in New York.

And as of Tuesday, their Worcestershire Glazed Double Mushroom Burger was in the top six most popular entries in the James Beard Blended Burger Contest - an event that's open to voters through July 31. The contest aims to create a healthier hamburger by mixing mushrooms with beef to create lower-calorie patties.

When the Gottliebs heard about the contest two days before deadline, they knew it was a catchy way to get the word out about their new barbecue joint, Woods Kitchen in Bloomingdale.

The brothers work as a team, with Michael focusing on the savory side and Laurence on baking. For the contest, Michael made the patty and Laurence concocted a bun dyed with beet juice to make it red like a mushroom. The bun's also topped with mushroom salt, and Michael adds charred Vidalia onions to balance out the flavor of the hefty, savory burger.

The beef, which comes from Hunter Cattle Co. in Brooklet, is mixed with locally grown cremini mushrooms.

"It reduces the fat in the burger, it reduces the caloric intake and it gives it an earthy taste," Michael said.

But, he added, the way the burger is cooked still has a traditional appeal.

"At the end of the day, we still have you feeling like you're tasting grease."

Michael says the contest fits in with the Woods Kitchen mission - showing off locally sourced products.

"I feel good about (representing Savannah," Michael said while grilling one of the burgers. "But I'm doing it to represent a quality product being made in an area that's trying to take steps forward with food and using local ingredients."

So far the Gottliebs are doing well online, and their burger is in the running with entries from two of Georgia celebrity chef Hugh Acheson's restaurants. But voting is open through July, so the Gottliebs are counting on Savannah's hungry residents to send them to New York in October.

As an incentive, the brothers are offering a free "chocolate chewie" treat at Woods Kitchen to anyone who votes for them on the James Beard Foundation's website.

And anyone who wants to try the burger can head to Woods Kitchen on U.S. 80. The restaurant is open from 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and from 10:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.

"Or," said Laurence, "until we run out of meat."

Worcestershire Glazed Double Mushroom Burger

Voting in the James Beard Blended Burger Contest is open through July 31. To vote for Woods Kitchen of Bloomingdale and to see other entries, go to www.jamesbeard.org/blendedburgerproject/vote.

Learn more about Woods Kitchen and Gottlieb's Bakery at www.gottliebsfood.com.

Woods Kitchen at 1304 Highway 80 in Bloomingdale is open from 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and 10:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. The burger costs $10. For more info, call 912-348-3340.