01 - Pat the beef chuck roast dry and season all surfaces evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear the beef roast on all sides until deeply browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the roast to the slow cooker.
03 - Arrange sliced onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery evenly around the roast in the slow cooker.
04 - In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Pour the mixture over the beef and vegetables.
05 - Cover and cook on the low setting for 8 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
06 - About 40 minutes before serving, place the potato chunks in a large pot. Add cold water to cover and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are very tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
07 - Drain the potatoes thoroughly and return them to the pot. Add unsalted butter and whole milk. Mash until smooth and creamy, seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste. Add more milk if necessary for the desired consistency.
08 - Remove beef from the slow cooker and let rest for 5 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaves. Shred or slice the beef as preferred.
09 - Spoon mashed potatoes onto plates. Top with portions of pot roast, vegetables, and a drizzle of the pan juices. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.