Cauliflower and Bacon Chowder

Name: Cauliflower and Bacon Chowder
Ingredients: 4 large rashers of bacon, sliced into bite sized pieces; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 50g (2 ounces) butter; 1 large onion, diced; 1 large carrot, diced; 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced; 1 rib of celery, diced; 4 fat cloves of garlic, minced; 2 litres (4 pints) chicken stock; 1/4 cup thick cream; 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese; 500g (1 pound) cauliflower florets - see notes below; 400g (14 ounce) tin of corn niblets, drained; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly milled black pepper; chives, snipped to garnish