Nina Hendee is a native Texan with a passion for the history of our great state. She was born in Dallas and developed her love of Texas history at a young age.
Nina and her husband, Edd, own and operate the Taste of Texas Restaurant which is in its 44th year. The restaurant is ranked as one of the top 100 restaurants in the U.S. and has won numerous awards for their outstanding wine list, delicious menu and unsurpassed service.
The Taste of Texas employs over 200 young people and values the development of their leadership skills. Students are encouraged in their academic endeavors by flexible scheduling, grade bonuses for each student, and a strong commitment to personal and academic excellence.
Nina started her speaking career with area school children sharing her love of Texas and its rich history. Approximately 13,000 Houston area students look forward to the Taste of Texas field trip each school year where they hear great tales of our Texas forefathers, tour the restaurant, and enjoy a lunch, compliments of the owners. Nina is now sharing her love of Texas history with 2nd generation students whose parents came as 4th graders!
An active member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Speakers Committee for 24 years, Nina has won the coveted “Mega-Mouth” Award and was named Speaker of the Year 2015. She has been involved with the HLSR for over 28 years. In 2016 Nina was commissioned as an Admiral in the historic Texas Navy.
She and her husband Edd enjoy traveling and cycling.
While staying very active at Second Baptist Church, the restaurant business, and numerous charities, Nina and her husband Edd find their greatest joy in their children, son Kyle Poulson and wife Erin, granddaughter Grayson and grandson Jackson, Lisa and husband Chris Blackard and granddaughters Hannah and Elizabeth, and Maddie; Kristin and husband Corbin Blackford, their son Henry and daughter Ann Campbell, and their daughter in law, Claudine and her husband David Hartland, grandchildren, Campbell, Hudson and Reagan, Sam and Conrad Hartland.