I read once that German dishes like Sauerbraten could be traced back to Roman tastes in food. That would explain Chinese sweet and sour dishes, Currywurst, and also Toast Hawaii, which was something curiously popular in Germany (and known as Karlsbader Schnitte in the GDR).
The Independent reports that Hawaii Toast was actually the creation of a TV cook called Clemens Wilmenrod in the 50s. He was also responsible for popularizing Rumtopf.
Now a TV film is being made about him.