Baby celebrates 1st birthday with iconic Philly food instead of cake

— -- Who needs cake when you can have cheesesteaks?

Matthew Dittrich celebrated his first birthday with a Philly-themed food smash.

“I’ve never really been much of a traditionalist. Everyone does a cake smash,” his mom, Lauren Dittrich, told ABC News of wanting to get more creative by honoring their beloved Philadelphia.

Matthew enjoyed a smorgasbord of Pat’s cheesesteaks, Rita’s water ice, Termini Brothers cannolis, Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpets, and of course, soft pretzels.

“The pretzel was too hard, the water ice was too cold, but the cannoli cream was just right,” said photographer Jamie Siever.

His mom agreed.

“The Rita’s water ice, every time he stuck his hand in it he started to cry. It was so cold,” she said. “He loved the taste of it but not how cold it was. He’d freak out and then go right back to the cannoli. He’s a cannoli man.”

Siever was thrilled for the opportunity to do a photo shoot that shared her love for Philadelphia.

“I’m an insane lover of Philadelphia. I told my friends, the Philly love that I put out into the universe is finally coming back to me,” she said with a laugh.

Little Matthew “wasn’t really into the cheesesteak,” however.

But it didn’t go to waste. Matthew’s dad was happy to eat the leftover props.