1.  Heat Pot over medium high heat, add olive oil, then add onion, celery, carrots and garlic.  Sautee until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and cook another 3-5 minutes, don't worry they will cook more later. 

2.  When potatoes are softer, add salt, pepper and corn starch or flour. Stir and cook about 2 minutes.  

3.  Add chicken broth or water with bouillon cubes or paste. Bring to a boil, then reduce down to a high simmer.  Cook about 20 minutes. 

4.  When potatoes are soft, take a fork or potato masher and mash about half of them in the pot.  If you don't have a masher, you can remove half from pot and press with a fork, add back into pot. 

5.  Stir in cream, add hunks of cheese until desired cheesiness! 

6.  Serve in bowls then top with whatever toppings you like: cheese, chives, bacon bits, etc.  Voila!