Corn Chowder

Name: Corn Chowder
Ingredients: 8 ears corn, shucked; 8 strips bacon, chopped; 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter; 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh thyme; 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 2 ribs celery, finely chopped; 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped; 1 fresh bay leaf; 6 cups milk; 3 medium new potatoes (about 1 ½ lb.), peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil, for garnish