Melt 1/2 tbsp of butter in a thick bottomed pan/pot on medium heat and add the diced onion and chopped celery. Cook until softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook for a minute more.
Now add chicken stock and bay leaves to the pot and add salt to taste. Bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover the pot. Simmer for 15 minutes.
While the soup is simmering, take a separate small pan and add 1/2 tbsp butter and the extra celery (20g) to it. Cook on medium heat.
Now ladle half of the simmering stock from the soup pot into a saute pan. Simmer on low heat for 5-6 minutes to soften the celery. Set it aside.
Remove the soup pot from heat and blend it in a blender.
Stir in the cream and braised diced celery.
Sprinkle fresh ground black pepper and garnish with parsley.
Your lip smacking cream of celery soup is ready! Serve it hot.