Beef bourguignon

Name: Beef bourguignon
Ingredients: 1.5kg/3lb5oz chuck steak, cut into 5cm/2in pieces; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into chunks; 1 large onion, peeled and cut into chunks; 2 sticks celery, rough chopped; 2 bottles red burgundy wine; 2 sprigs fresh thyme; 1 head garlic, cut in half horizontally; 4 bay leaves; 50g/2oz unsalted butter; 225g/8oz whole piece of smoked bacon or pancetta; 450g/1lb shallots, peeled; 2 tbsp plain flour; 375g/12oz chestnut mushrooms; 290ml/½ pint fresh beef stock; 5 tbsp brandy; Freshly chopped flatleaf parsley