Creamy Plantation Potato and Ham Soup

Name: Creamy Plantation Potato and Ham Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 cups onion (rough chopped); 1 cup carrots (rough chopped); 1 cup celery (chopped); 2 cloves garlic (crushed); 8 cups ham stock; 3 bay leaves; 2 sprigs thyme; 2 sprigs parsley; 2 ½ pounds Russet potatoes (peeled and diced into 3/4" dice); 2 cups ham (leftover from a ham bone or spiral ham preferably); 1 tablespoon bacon fat; ½ teaspoon pepper; ¼ cup heavy whipping cream (brought to room temperature); salt to taste; shredded extra sharp cheddar; chives; a dollop of sour cream; chopped parsley