Summer Corn Chowder with Miso and Bacon

Name: Summer Corn Chowder with Miso and Bacon
Ingredients: 3-4 ears of corn, the freshest you can find; 4 cups water; 1 bay leaf; 3 slices thick cut bacon (or the equivalent slab bacon), diced large (optional); 2 tablespoons butter; 1 onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 leek, well cleaned, green top removed and tender white part sliced; 1 rib celery, finely diced; 1 poblano (you want a spicy one here - can substitute a rehydrated chipotle, ancho, or other similarly sweet and spicy pepper); 3-4 sprigs thyme; 1 pinch sumac powder (optional); 2 yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced (I like large cubes); 1 tablespoon light miso; 1 cup whole milk; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 1/2 teaspoon Pimenton dulce (sweet smoked paprika); 1 pinch cayenne pepper (to taste); 2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped; salt (to taste); freshly ground pepper (to taste); parmesan cheese (grated to taste)